If you’re craving a meal that’s hearty, wholesome, and packed with flavor, this ground turkey sweet potato casserole is your answer. Sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness, while ground turkey keeps it lean and filling. I still remember making this for the first time on a chilly weeknight, hoping for a dish that was both quick and soul-warming. It instantly became part of my family’s go-to cold weather dinner ideas. Whether you’re looking for a lighter twist on Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole or just another recipe to add to your ground turkey casserole recipes list, this dish checks every box.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake
- Quick & Easy Dinner: Ready in under an hour with minimal prep.
- Simple Ingredients: Everyday staples, no complicated shopping trips.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Perfect for those who want ground turkey meal prep ideas that reheat beautifully.
- Balanced & Comforting: Combines savory turkey, creamy sweet potatoes, and cheesy goodness in one dish.
- Versatile for Occasions: Works as a weeknight dinner, holiday side, or a hearty addition to your ground turkey bake collection.
- Unique Twist: Like turkey sweet potato chili baked into a casserole form with extra comfort.
Ingredients Needed
For the Base
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 bell pepper, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
For Flavor & Seasoning
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
For the Finish
- 1 cup chopped spinach
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for greasing)
How to Make Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
Step 1: Preheat & Prep
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a medium baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray. This prevents the casserole from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Step 2: Cook the Sweet Potatoes
In a skillet, warm 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add diced sweet potatoes and sauté for 5–7 minutes until they begin to soften. Pre-cooking ensures the potatoes bake evenly later. Set them aside.
Step 3: Brown the Turkey
In the same skillet, cook ground turkey until fully browned, about 5 minutes. Break it apart with a spoon as it cooks. This is your flavor foundation.
Step 4: Add Vegetables & Spices
Stir in onion, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook for 3–4 minutes until fragrant. Mix in drained tomatoes, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Let everything simmer briefly so flavors meld.
Step 5: Stir in Spinach
Add chopped spinach and stir until wilted. This brings freshness and extra nutrients.
Step 6: Assemble the Layers
Spread half of the sweet potatoes in your baking dish. Top with the turkey mixture, then add the remaining sweet potatoes as the final layer.
Step 7: Bake & Add Cheese
Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle mozzarella evenly on top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly.
Step 8: Cool & Serve
Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. Perfect for family dinners, potlucks, or part of your ground turkey enchilada casserole and ground turkey bake rotation.
Serving and Storage Tips
Serving Ideas
Serve this casserole with a crisp green salad or roasted vegetables for balance. It’s also delicious with warm crusty bread. For a lighter option, wrap portions into tortillas to make turkey wraps. If you love restaurant-style dishes, pair it alongside my Texas Roadhouse Smothered Chicken for a complete comfort dinner.
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. For longer storage, freeze individual portions for up to 2 months. Reheat in the oven for best texture, or use the microwave for a quicker option.
Helpful Notes
- For quicker prep, microwave the sweet potatoes for 3 minutes before sautéing.
- For dairy-free diets, use plant-based mozzarella or omit cheese entirely.
- Spice it up with chili powder or red pepper flakes.
- This recipe works beautifully as part of cold weather dinner ideas and pairs perfectly with easy wraps like my Crispy Air Fryer Chicken and Mozzarella Wraps.
- Fans of taco-style casseroles will also love my Crispy Baked Ground Turkey Tacos.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use regular potatoes instead of sweet potatoes?
Yes, but sweet potatoes provide a natural sweetness that balances the savory turkey. White potatoes make it more traditional but less unique.
How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
This casserole is naturally gluten-free since it uses no flour or bread crumbs. Just double-check your spice labels.
Can I freeze this casserole?
Absolutely. Bake it, cool it fully, and then freeze in airtight containers for up to 2 months. It’s a great ground turkey meal prep option.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes. Assemble everything without baking, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bake as directed when ready to serve.
Conclusion
This ground turkey sweet potato bake proves that wholesome meals don’t need to be complicated. It’s flavorful, cheesy, and full of hearty vegetables, making it a true comfort food classic. Perfect for meal prep, busy weeknights, or even as a lighter twist on Thanksgiving sweet potato casserole, it’s a recipe that deserves a spot in your regular rotation. If you try it, let us know in the comments, did you stick to the original or create your own twist? Don’t forget to leave a star rating and share this recipe on Pinterest or Facebook to inspire more cozy dinners at home.
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Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole: Cozy Comfort Made Easy
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
A cozy and hearty ground turkey sweet potato casserole with cheese, perfect for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
1 lb ground turkey
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
1 small onion, chopped
1 bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon dried oregano
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 cup chopped spinach
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a baking dish.
2. Sauté sweet potatoes in olive oil until slightly tender. Remove and set aside.
3. Brown ground turkey in skillet until fully cooked.
4. Add onion, bell pepper, and garlic; cook until softened.
5. Stir in tomatoes, paprika, cumin, oregano, salt, and pepper; simmer briefly.
6. Mix in spinach until wilted.
7. Layer half of sweet potatoes in dish, then turkey mixture, then remaining sweet potatoes.
8. Cover with foil and bake 20 minutes. Remove foil, add cheese, bake 10 more minutes until bubbly.
9. Cool slightly and serve.
Notes
Microwave sweet potatoes for a faster prep.
Use dairy-free cheese if needed.
Store leftovers for up to 4 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 65mg