Sweet Potato Turkey Bake (Printable version)
Layered sweet potato, ground turkey, black beans, and melted cheese in a hearty comforting casserole.
# What you need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground turkey
→ Vegetables
02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Beans and Canned Goods
06 - 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
07 - 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
→ Dairy
08 - 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
09 - ½ cup sour cream (optional, for serving)
→ Spices and Pantry Staples
10 - 1 tbsp olive oil
11 - 1 tsp ground cumin
12 - 1 tsp paprika
13 - ½ tsp chili powder
14 - ½ tsp dried oregano
15 - ¾ tsp salt
16 - ¼ tsp black pepper
17 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
# How To:
01 - Preheat oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion, minced garlic, and diced red bell pepper. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Add ground turkey to the skillet along with cumin, paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5 to 6 minutes, breaking up the meat with a spoon, until fully browned and no longer pink.
04 - Stir in the drained black beans and drained diced tomatoes. Simmer the mixture for 3 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
05 - Spread half of the diced sweet potatoes in an even layer across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Spoon half of the turkey and black bean mixture over the sweet potatoes, spreading it evenly.
06 - Repeat with the remaining sweet potatoes and the remaining turkey and black bean mixture, creating a second even layer on top.
07 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are nearly fork-tender.
08 - Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
09 - Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 to 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve with sour cream if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It tastes like you spent all day cooking, but the whole thing comes together in about an hour with zero fancy techniques.
- The sweet potatoes get tender and slightly caramelized at the edges while soaking up all those smoky spices from the turkey layer.
02 -
- The first time I made this I rushed the covered baking step and the sweet potatoes were still crunchy in the center, so always test with a fork before adding cheese.
- Draining both the black beans and the diced tomatoes thoroughly was a game changer that stopped the casserole from pooling liquid at the bottom.
03 -
- Let the casserole rest the full ten minutes before serving because cutting into it too early means the layers slide apart into a messy pile.
- A sharp cheddar blended with a handful of Monterey Jack gives you both bold flavor and that gorgeous stretchy melt people love.