Hearty Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe

This comforting ground turkey and sweet potato casserole is a perfect weeknight dinner, packed with flavor and easy to make for the whole family.

It’s a dish that brings warmth to the table without requiring hours in the kitchen, making it ideal for busy evenings when you still want to serve something wholesome and delicious.

Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned home chef, this recipe offers a straightforward approach to creating a satisfying meal. The combination of savory ground turkey and naturally sweet potatoes, all baked together, creates a harmonious blend of tastes and textures that everyone will enjoy.

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What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe

This recipe is a true lifesaver for anyone looking for a hearty, family-friendly meal that doesn’t compromise on taste or nutrition. It works beautifully as a weeknight dinner because it’s relatively quick to assemble and bakes into a complete meal. You’ll appreciate how the flavors meld together, offering a comforting and satisfying experience with every bite. It’s perfect for busy parents, individuals seeking balanced meals, or anyone who enjoys a delicious casserole without a lot of fuss. Serve it when you need a reliable, crowd-pleasing dish that can easily be scaled up for leftovers or a small gathering.

Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress

Gathering your ingredients ahead of time makes the cooking process much smoother. This recipe uses readily available items you can find at any grocery store, ensuring a stress-free shopping experience.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 2 pounds sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for topping)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

For simple substitutions, you can easily swap ground chicken for ground turkey if that’s what you have on hand. If you prefer a different herb, dried rosemary or sage would also work well in place of thyme, offering a slightly different flavor profile. For the diced tomatoes, feel free to use fire-roasted diced tomatoes for an extra layer of smoky flavor. If you don’t have chicken broth, vegetable broth can be used instead. As for the cheese, any good melting cheese like Monterey Jack or a Colby blend would be a delicious alternative to cheddar.

Time Needed From Start To Finish

This casserole is designed for efficiency, getting a delicious meal on your table without a long wait.

• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
• Total time: 40-45 minutes

How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues

Follow these clear steps to create your delicious ground turkey and sweet potato casserole. Pay attention to the visual cues to ensure perfect results every time.

1. Prepare your oven and skillet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Heat the olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Make sure your skillet is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles when it hits the surface.
2. Brown the ground turkey: Add the ground turkey to the hot skillet, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook until it’s fully browned and no longer pink, which usually takes about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to keep the dish from being greasy.
3. Sauté aromatics and spices: Add the chopped onion to the skillet with the browned turkey and cook until it softens and becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for another minute until the spices are fragrant, making sure the garlic doesn’t burn.
4. Combine liquids and tomatoes: Pour in the diced tomatoes (with their juice) and chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring everything together well. This creates the flavorful base for your casserole.
5. Add sweet potatoes and simmer: Stir in the cubed sweet potatoes. Cover the skillet and let it simmer for 10-15 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender. You should be able to easily pierce them with a fork.
6. Top and bake: If using, sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven (if your skillet is oven-safe; otherwise, transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish). Bake uncovered for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.
7. Garnish and serve: Carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Let it rest for a few minutes before garnishing with fresh chopped parsley. Serve hot and enjoy!

Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life

This casserole is wonderfully versatile and can be adapted to suit various tastes and occasions. For a kid-friendly twist, you can reduce the smoked paprika slightly and ensure the sweet potatoes are cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces. Adding a handful of frozen corn or peas during the simmering stage can also boost vegetable intake and appeal to younger eaters.

If you’re looking to make this dish even heartier, consider adding a can of drained black beans or a cup of cooked quinoa to the turkey mixture before baking. For a different flavor profile, a pinch of chili powder can be added along with the other spices. This casserole is fantastic on its own, but it also pairs well with a simple green salad for a complete meal. For a buffet or party setting, you can serve it directly from the baking dish, perhaps alongside some crusty bread for scooping. A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro can also be offered as optional toppings for those who enjoy them.

Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them

Even simple recipes can have common pitfalls. Being aware of these can help you achieve perfect results every time.

• Overcooking the turkey: Cooking the ground turkey for too long can make it dry and crumbly. Brown it just until no pink remains, then drain the fat promptly.
• Undercooked sweet potatoes: If the sweet potatoes aren’t fork-tender before baking, they’ll remain hard in the final casserole. Ensure they simmer long enough in the liquid to soften properly. Cutting them into uniform 1/2-inch cubes helps them cook evenly.
• Too much liquid: While you want a moist casserole, too much liquid can make it soupy. Stick to the specified amounts of diced tomatoes and broth. If your mixture seems excessively watery after simmering the sweet potatoes, you can uncover it for the last few minutes of simmering to allow some liquid to evaporate before baking.
• Burning the garlic: Garlic can burn quickly and turn bitter. Add it after the onions have softened and cook for only about a minute until fragrant, then immediately add the tomatoes and broth.
• Skipping the draining of fat: Lean ground turkey still releases some fat. Draining it after browning prevents your casserole from becoming greasy.

How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture

This casserole is excellent for meal prepping and makes for delicious leftovers. To store, allow the casserole to cool completely to room temperature. Transfer any leftovers to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3-4 days.

To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until heated through. For larger portions or the entire casserole, cover it with foil and reheat in an oven preheated to 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or until hot in the center. Adding a splash of extra broth or water before reheating can help maintain moisture if it seems a bit dry.

To make it ahead, you can prepare the turkey and sweet potato mixture (steps 1-5) and let it cool. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. When ready to bake, transfer the mixture to your baking dish, top with cheese (if using), and bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time since it will be starting from a cold temperature.

Questions People Always Ask Before Making This Recipe

Can I use frozen sweet potatoes instead of fresh?

Yes, you can use frozen cubed sweet potatoes. You might need to adjust the simmering time slightly, as they may cook a bit faster. There’s no need to thaw them beforehand; just add them directly to the skillet.

Is this casserole spicy?

No, this recipe is not spicy. Smoked paprika adds a smoky flavor, not heat. If you prefer a little kick, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the other spices.

Can I add other vegetables to this casserole?

Absolutely! This casserole is very adaptable. Diced bell peppers, zucchini, or spinach would be great additions. Add heartier vegetables like bell peppers with the onions, and softer ones like spinach during the last few minutes of simmering.

What kind of ground turkey should I use?

Lean ground turkey (93/7

FAQs

• Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
• How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
• Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
• Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.