Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

The Cozy Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe Everyone Loves

Crafting a delightful ground turkey sweet potato bake brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Lean protein meets hearty vegetables in this simple yet satisfying meal.

Nutritious ingredients combine effortlessly to create a wholesome dish that feels like a warm embrace.

Home cooks appreciate how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal preparation.

Colorful sweet potatoes add a natural sweetness that complements the savory ground turkey perfectly.

Seasonings dance across each bite, promising a flavor experience that will have everyone asking for seconds.

Trust me, you’ll want to bookmark this recipe for those evenings when delicious meets nutritious.

Why Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Is So Filling

  • Boost Nutrition Powerhouse: Packed with lean protein from ground turkey and loaded with vitamin-rich sweet potatoes and zucchini, this dish delivers a balanced meal in one pan.
  • Simplify Cooking Process: Requires minimal prep work and uses just one baking sheet, making cleanup a breeze and reducing kitchen stress for busy home cooks.
  • Customize with Ease: Flexible recipe allows quick ingredient swaps like different vegetables or cheese types, perfect for adapting to personal taste preferences or pantry availability.
  • Family-Friendly Favorite: Kid-approved combination of mild flavors and familiar ingredients ensures everyone at the table will enjoy this comforting, hearty meal without complex seasonings.

What You’ll Need For Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

Main Ingredients:
  • Ground Turkey: A lean protein source that provides a hearty base for this delicious bake.
  • Sweet Potatoes: A nutritious and sweet vegetable that adds natural sweetness and texture to the dish.
  • Zucchini: A mild-flavored vegetable that brings additional moisture and nutrients to the recipe.
Seasoning Ingredients:
  • Garlic Powder, Rosemary, Salt, Pepper: A blend of herbs and spices that enhance the overall flavor of the dish.
Cheese Topping:
  • Parmesan Cheese: A sharp and salty cheese that adds a rich, savory finish to the baked dish.
Cooking Liquid:
  • Olive Oil: A healthy oil used for roasting vegetables and cooking ground turkey, providing moisture and preventing sticking.

How To Cook Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Station

Set your oven to a toasty 400F (200C) to prepare for the delicious meal ahead.

Step 2: Dress the Veggie Stars

Gather your ingredients:
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Zucchini
  • Olive oil
  • Garlic powder
  • Rosemary
  • Salt
  • Pepper

Toss the diced sweet potatoes and zucchini slices with olive oil and seasonings. Spread them out on a baking sheet, creating a colorful landscape of flavors.

Step 3: Roast the Vegetable Medley

Send the baking sheet into the hot oven for 20-25 minutes. Vegetables will transform into tender, golden delights. Midway through cooking, give them a gentle stir to ensure even roasting.

Step 4: Brown the Turkey Protein

While vegetables are cooking, grab a large skillet and heat some olive oil. Drop in the ground turkey and break it apart with a spoon. Cook until the meat turns a beautiful golden brown and is completely cooked through, which takes about 7-10 minutes.

Step 5: Combine the Flavor Heroes

Once vegetables are perfectly roasted, pull them from the oven. Mix the cooked ground turkey with the roasted vegetables, creating a mouthwatering combination.

Step 6: Cheese Finale

Sprinkle shredded parmesan cheese over the turkey and vegetable mixture. Return to the oven for 5-7 minutes until the cheese melts into a bubbly, golden blanket.

Step 7: Serve and Celebrate

Pull out your masterpiece and serve immediately. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors of this nutritious and delicious meal!

Helpful Tips For Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Swap ground turkey with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that keeps protein levels high.
  • Ensure sweet potatoes are cut into uniform cubes to guarantee even roasting and perfect texture.
  • Use fresh herbs like thyme or oregano instead of dried rosemary for a more vibrant flavor profile.
  • Add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for extra heat and depth to the dish.
  • Prevent sticking by using parchment paper or a silicone baking mat when roasting vegetables.

Tasty Versions Of Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Mediterranean Turkey Fusion: Add crumbled feta cheese, diced kalamata olives, and sprinkle dried oregano for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
  • Mexican Fiesta Bake: Mix in black beans, corn kernels, and top with shredded cheddar cheese while adding cumin and chili powder for a zesty southwestern spin.
  • Herbaceous Green Boost: Incorporate chopped fresh spinach, basil leaves, and replace parmesan with goat cheese for an elevated green vegetable experience.
  • Asian-Inspired Comfort Bowl: Drizzle sesame oil, add sliced green onions, mix in soy sauce, and garnish with toasted sesame seeds for an umami-rich preparation.

Great Sides With Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Pair Sweet Herb-Infused White Wine: Crisp sauvignon blanc complements the earthy rosemary and zucchini notes, cutting through the richness of ground turkey and parmesan cheese.
  • Boost Fresh Green Salad Companion: Create a light arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette to balance the hearty bake, adding bright acidity and complementary herbal undertones.
  • Match Tangy Mediterranean Tzatziki: Serve cool, creamy yogurt-based tzatziki sauce alongside the dish, providing a refreshing contrast to the warm, savory turkey and sweet potato blend.
  • Enhance Crusty Whole Grain Bread: Offer rustic sourdough or whole wheat bread to soak up delicious pan juices, adding textural variety and extra satisfying element to the meal.

How To Store Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Safely

  • Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
  • Pack the cooled turkey sweet potato bake in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months. Avoid freezing for longer to preserve taste and texture.
  • Preheat oven to 350F. Place leftovers in an oven-safe dish, cover with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Remove foil for the last 5 minutes to crisp the top.
  • Transfer a single portion to a microwave-safe plate.

FAQ Help For Turkey Sweet Potato Bake

  • Is ground turkey a healthy protein choice?

Ground turkey is a lean protein packed with essential nutrients like iron, zinc, and B vitamins. It’s lower in fat compared to ground beef, making it a heart-healthy alternative for balanced meals.

  • Can I use different vegetables in this recipe?

Absolutely! While sweet potatoes and zucchini work great, you can substitute with butternut squash, bell peppers, or carrots. Choose vegetables that roast well and complement the ground turkey’s flavor.

  • How can I make this recipe more spicy?

Add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños to the vegetable mix before roasting. You can also incorporate hot sauce or sriracha when seasoning the ground turkey for an extra kick of heat.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe

Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake Recipe


5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 35 reviews

  • Total Time: 42-52 minutes
  • Yield: 4 1x

Description

Hearty ground turkey sweet potato bake delivers comfort and nutrition in one delightful dish. Balanced flavors and simple ingredients make this meal a perfect weeknight solution for hungry families seeking a wholesome dinner.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Protein:

  • 1 pound (454 grams) ground turkey

Vegetables:

  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
  • 2 small zucchini, sliced

Seasonings and Cheese:

  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon rosemary
  • 2/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Cooking Oil:

  • 5 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven at 400F (200C) to create an optimal roasting environment for the vegetables and turkey.
  2. Combine diced sweet potatoes and zucchini with olive oil, seasoning them with garlic powder, rosemary, salt, and pepper, then distribute uniformly across a baking sheet.
  3. Roast the vegetable medley for 20-25 minutes, ensuring tenderness by rotating halfway through the cooking process.
  4. Simultaneously, heat olive oil in a skillet over medium temperature and cook ground turkey, fragmenting the meat until it achieves a rich golden-brown color and complete doneness.
  5. Extract the roasted vegetables from the oven and integrate the cooked ground turkey, mixing thoroughly to distribute flavors evenly.
  6. Generously scatter parmesan cheese across the turkey-vegetable mixture, then return to the oven for an additional 5-7 minutes to create a melted, golden-brown cheese topping.
  7. Transfer the completed dish to serving plates immediately, presenting a warm, aromatic meal ready to be savored.

Notes

  • Customize spice levels by adjusting garlic powder and rosemary to match personal taste preferences.
  • Ensure ground turkey is thoroughly cooked to 165°F internal temperature for food safety.
  • For low-carb variation, replace sweet potatoes with cauliflower or turnips to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
  • Consider using lean ground turkey (93/7) to minimize fat while maintaining protein-rich meal profile.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 32-42 minutes
  • Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
  • Method: Roasting
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 4
  • Calories: 470 kcal
  • Sugar: 5 g
  • Sodium: 320 mg
  • Fat: 28 g
  • Saturated Fat: 6 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 4 g
  • Protein: 35 g
  • Cholesterol: 80 mg
Samantha Lee

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops​

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

  • Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
  • Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.​

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating 5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star