Hearty Turkey Sweet Potato Bake with ground turkey, sweet potatoes, black beans, corn, bell peppers, and melted cheese. A comforting and healthy meal.
Prep Time:20 minutes
Cook Time:25 minutes
Total Time:65 minutes
Yield:6-8 servings 1x
Ingredients
Scale
1.5 lbs ground turkey
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into ½-inch cubes
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 (15 ounce) can corn, drained
1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional, for heat)
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese), for topping
Optional toppings: sour cream, avocado, cilantro, green onions
Instructions
Preheat: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Sauté Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned (5-7 minutes). Drain off any excess grease.
Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
Add Vegetables: Add the diced sweet potatoes, red bell pepper, and green bell pepper to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
Cook Vegetables: Cook for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes start to soften slightly.
Combine Ingredients: Add the rinsed and drained black beans, drained corn, and diced tomatoes (undrained) to the skillet. Stir everything together.
Add Broth and Spices: Pour in the chicken broth. Add the chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, and cayenne pepper (if using). Stir well to distribute the spices.
Season: Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for about 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Assemble: Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour the turkey and sweet potato mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese (or your favorite cheese) evenly over the top.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sweet potatoes are tender.
Cool and Serve: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving. Top with desired toppings like sour cream, avocado, cilantro, or green onions.
Notes
For a spicier bake, add more cayenne pepper or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
You can substitute ground beef or ground chicken for the ground turkey.
Feel free to add other vegetables to the bake, such as zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
If you don’t have chicken broth, you can use vegetable broth or water.
To make this bake ahead of time, assemble it in the baking dish and store it in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. Add the cheese just before baking.
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven.
Consider using different types of cheese. Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, or a Mexican blend would all work well.
If you want a creamier texture, stir in a can of cream of mushroom soup or cream of chicken soup before baking.
For a vegetarian version, omit the ground turkey and add an extra can of black beans or lentils.
If you are short on time, you can use pre-diced sweet potatoes.