Healthy Sweet Potato Bake (Printer-Friendly)
Sweet potatoes, turkey, and fresh veggies bake with cheese for a cozy, protein-rich casserole.
# List of Ingredients:
→ Main Ingredients
01 -
1 tablespoon olive oil
02 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
03 -
3 cloves garlic, minced
04 -
1 pound lean ground turkey
05 -
1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
06 -
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
07 -
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
08 -
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
09 -
2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups)
10 -
2 medium zucchini, chopped (about 2 cups)
11 -
1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend of choice)
12 -
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# Preparation Steps:
01 -
Heat oven to 400°F to prepare for baking.
02 -
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
03 -
Add ground turkey to skillet, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until turkey is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. If needed, drain excess fat.
04 -
Stir in smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute to let spices bloom in the oil.
05 -
Add diced sweet potatoes and chopped zucchini. Sauté 4-5 minutes until vegetables start to soften at the edges.
06 -
Transfer turkey and vegetable mixture to a 9x13-inch baking dish. Spread evenly for uniform baking.
07 -
Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the entire surface.
08 -
Bake in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until sweet potatoes are fork-tender and cheese is golden and bubbling.
09 -
Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley before serving.
# Additional Suggestions:
01 -
Dice sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes to ensure even cooking.
02 -
Blending cheddar with mozzarella creates a perfectly melted, flavorful topping.
03 -
For advance preparation, assemble the dish up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours ahead.
04 -
Switch up the vegetables based on what is available or in season.
05 -
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to four days and freeze beautifully for future meals.