Hearty Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake: A Weeknight Favorite (Print Version)

This savory Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake is packed with flavor and so easy. A comforting, wholesome meal for any night of the week.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 35 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: American
Dietary: Gluten-Free (if using GF flour/broth)

# Ingredients:

→ Hearty Base Ingredients

01 - 1 lb lean ground turkey
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), peeled and cubed
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 2 tbsp olive oil
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
08 - 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

→ Flavor Boosters

09 - 1 tsp dried thyme
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Creamy Sweet Potato Topping

12 - 1/2 cup whole milk
13 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
14 - 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

→ Fresh Finish

15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those sweet potatoes ready! Peel them, then chop them into roughly 1-inch cubes. Pop 'em into a large pot, cover with cold water, and add a generous pinch of salt – this is where I always forget to salt the water, oops! Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until they're fork-tender, about 15-20 minutes. You want them soft enough to mash easily, but not mushy. Drain them really well; nobody wants a watery topping for their Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake.
02 - While the potatoes are boiling, heat your olive oil in a large oven-safe skillet (cast iron works beautifully here!) over medium heat. Toss in your chopped yellow onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until it's soft and translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Oh, the smell of onions cooking, that's the start of something good! Then, add the minced garlic and cook for just another minute until fragrant. Don't let it burn, that's a mistake I've made too many times, it gets bitter!
03 - Push the onions and garlic to one side of the skillet, then add your ground turkey to the other. Break it up with a spoon and cook until it's nicely browned and no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. This step is key for flavor in our Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake. Once it's cooked, drain any excess fat. I usually tilt the pan and use a spoon to scoop it out. Don't worry if it's not perfectly clean, a little fat adds flavor.
04 - Now, stir the cooked turkey, onions, and garlic all together. Add the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring constantly, letting it deepen in color and flavor. Pour in the chicken broth and Worcestershire sauce, then sprinkle in the dried thyme, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir everything well, letting it simmer gently for about 5 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. This is the heart of the Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake, tasting it here is a good idea!
05 - Remember those drained sweet potatoes? Transfer them to a large bowl. Add the butter, whole milk, and all-purpose flour. Grab a potato masher and get to work! Mash until smooth and creamy. I like a few small lumps for texture, but you do you. Taste it and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. This is where you can make it truly yours, maybe a pinch of nutmeg if you're feeling fancy!
06 - Spread the savory ground turkey mixture evenly in the bottom of your oven-safe skillet (or transfer it to a 9x13 inch baking dish if your skillet isn't oven-safe). Carefully spoon the mashed sweet potato topping over the turkey base, spreading it out to cover completely. You can even create little swirls with the back of a spoon for a nice presentation. Pop it into a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly golden and the filling is bubbly. Let it rest for a few minutes before serving; it helps everything set. It'll smell incredible, trust me!

# Notes:

01 - Always cook the tomato paste for a couple of minutes before adding liquids; it deepens the flavor so much, a trick I learned the hard way!
02 - Don't overcrowd your pan when browning the turkey, or it'll steam instead of brown. Work in batches if you need to.
03 - Make sure your sweet potatoes are really tender before mashing; tough lumps are not what we're aiming for in this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Bake.
04 - For an extra golden-brown topping, brush the mashed sweet potatoes with a little melted butter before baking.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large oven-safe skillet (or 9x13 inch baking dish)
02 - large pot
03 - potato masher
04 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 350-400 kcal
Total Fat: 15-20g
Total Carbohydrate: 30-35g
Protein: 25-30g

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