Okay, so let me tell you about my absolute go-to weeknight lifesaver: this Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe. Honestly, some nights I am just *done* with complicated dinners, you know? This dish comes to the rescue every single time. It’s hearty, it’s packed with flavor from simple ingredients, and it makes me feel good about what I’m feeding my family. My mom used to make a version of this when I was growing up, and it always felt like a warm hug on a plate. It’s just one of those recipes that never fails to satisfy, and it comes together surprisingly fast!
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe
Seriously, you are going to *adore* making and eating this casserole. Here’s why:
- It’s a total weeknight warrior! Seriously, from start to finish, you’re looking at around 45 minutes. That’s less time than it takes to decide what to order in!
- Flavor bomb alert! The sweetness of the potatoes with the savory turkey and those herbs? Oh my goodness, it’s a match made in dinner heaven.
- Healthy-ish and satisfying. Packed with lean protein from the turkey and good-for-you carbs from the sweet potatoes, it’s a meal that actually fills you up without making you feel weighed down.
- Super versatile. Don’t have thyme? Use oregano! Want to sneak in some spinach? Go for it! This recipe is pretty forgiving.
- Kid-approved (most of the time!). The natural sweetness from the potatoes usually gets a thumbs-up from even the pickiest eaters.
- Makes great leftovers. If there are any by some miracle, it reheats beautifully for lunch the next day.
Gather Your Ingredients for the Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
Alright, let’s get our mise en place ready! You won’t believe how simple these ingredients are, and that’s part of the magic. Here’s what you’ll need to snag from your pantry or the grocery store:
Firstly, we need about a tablespoon of good old olive oil to get things going in the pan. Then comes our star protein: one pound of ground turkey. Next up, grab one medium onion, and chop it up nice and fine, and then two little cloves of garlic, minced. For the seasonings, you’ll want one teaspoon of salt, half a teaspoon of black pepper, half a teaspoon of dried thyme, and just a pinch of dried rosemary – roughly a quarter teaspoon. Now for the sweetness: you’ll need two cups of mashed sweet potato. And to help everything meld together, we’ll use half a cup of chicken broth. Finally, for a pop of freshness, a quarter cup of chopped fresh parsley.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Your Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
Alright, let’s get this amazing casserole into the oven! It’s really not complicated at all, and honestly, the steps are so easy you’ll be a pro in no time. Just follow along, and soon you’ll have a bubbling pan of pure comfort food. Trust me, this Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole is going to be your new weeknight champion.
Preheating and Initial Cooking
First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Go ahead and preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While that’s warming up, grab your biggest skillet and heat up that tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your pound of ground turkey and get to work breaking it up with your spoon. Cook it until it’s nice and browned all over. Don’t forget to drain off any excess fat – nobody wants a greasy casserole. Then, add in your chopped onion and let it cook until it’s soft and lovely, usually about 5 minutes.
Combining the Casserole Ingredients
Now for the fun part where everything comes together! In a big bowl, put your two cups of mashed sweet potato. Pour in that half cup of chicken broth and give it a good stir until it’s all smooth and creamy. See? Easy peasy. Next, carefully add your cooked turkey and onion mixture right into that sweet potato bowl. Don’t forget that fresh chopped parsley – it adds such a lovely bright flavor! Give it all a really good stir until everything is beautifully combined. You’re basically just mixing yummy things together at this point!
Baking and Finishing Touches
Almost there! Grab a greased 8×8 inch baking dish – or any similar-sized oven-safe dish you have. Pour your glorious mixture into the dish and spread it out evenly. Now, pop it into that preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for it to be heated all the way through and nice and bubbly around the edges. That smell wafting through your kitchen? That’s pure deliciousness! Once it’s done, take it out carefully and let it stand for about 5 minutes. This little rest lets it set up perfectly before you scoop it out. You can make sweet potatoes nice and tender in a slow cooker too, if that’s more your speed!
Tips for the Perfect Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
You know, making a great casserole isn’t just about following the recipe; it’s about little tricks that make it *sing*. Here are a few things I always do to make sure my Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole turns out absolutely perfect every single time:
First off, and this is a biggie, make sure your sweet potatoes are *really* mashed smooth. If you have lumps, the texture can be a little… well, lumpy! I usually take a fork or a potato masher to them while they’re still warm. If you want super-duper smooth, a quick pulse in a food processor works wonders, but honestly, a good mashing is usually enough. For seasoning, don’t be shy! Taste as you go. The turkey can sometimes be a little bland, so make sure to add enough salt and pepper. You can even add a bit more thyme or rosemary if you’re a big herb fan!
Also, really crisp up that turkey and get those onions good and soft before you mix everything. That extra bit of cooking time builds so much flavor! If you’re feeling fancy and want to add a little something extra, adding a splash of milk or cream to the sweet potato mix makes it super creamy, and a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking is just divine. You can even add a little bit of gravy mix for an extra flavor boost if you’re feeling adventurous!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Casserole
So, let’s chat about some of the key players in this dish! For the sweet potatoes, if you’re not starting with pre-mashed ones, just bake or boil them until they’re super tender, then mash ’em up really well. You want it smooth, so no big lumps, okay? I sometimes give them a quick whirl in the food processor if I’m feeling fancy for an extra-smooth texture. If you’re out of chicken broth, no worries! Vegetable broth works just fine, or even a little bit of water with a pinch of salt will do in a pinch.
Serving Suggestions for Your Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
This Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole is hearty enough to stand on its own, but oh boy, does it taste even better with a few friends! I love serving it with a simple green salad or some steamed broccoli to add a fresh crunch. Honestly, a side of homemade applesauce or even some light tea sandwiches wouldn’t be amiss if you’re feeling extra!
Nutritional Information (Estimated)
Alright, let’s talk numbers! Since we all use slightly different ingredients and amounts, these are just estimates, okay? But generally, one serving of this delicious casserole is about 350 calories, with around 25 grams of protein to keep you full. You’re also looking at about 40 grams of carbohydrates and 12 grams of fat. It’s a pretty balanced meal!
Frequently Asked Questions about this Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
Got questions? I’ve got answers! This Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole Recipe is pretty straightforward, but I get that sometimes little things pop into your head. If you have more questions or want to share your own tips, don’t hesitate to get in touch!
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, absolutely! You can totally assemble the whole casserole, cover it tightly, and pop it in the fridge for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to bake, just take it out of the fridge about 30 minutes before you plan to bake it, or add a few extra minutes to the baking time. It’s a lifesaver for busy weeknights!
What other vegetables can I add to this casserole?
Oh, you bet! This recipe is super adaptable. You could totally toss in some finely chopped bell peppers with the onions, or even some frozen peas or corn stirred in with the turkey mixture. Some chopped zucchini or even a handful of spinach added in at the end would be delicious too. Just make sure they’re cut small so they cook through nicely.
How do I store leftovers?
Leftovers are the best, right? Just pop any remaining casserole into an airtight container and it should be good in the refrigerator for about 3-4 days. Reheat it in the microwave or even back in the oven at a lower temp until it’s warm all the way through. It’s seriously almost as good the second time around!
Can I use a different meat other than ground turkey?
For sure! While I love ground turkey for its lean protein, you could easily swap it out for ground chicken or even ground beef. Just follow the same steps as you would with the turkey. The flavor will be a little different, but still really yummy!
My sweet potatoes are lumpy, what can I do?
Don’t worry, that happens! If you didn’t get them super smooth when you mashed them, you can try stirring in a tiny bit more chicken broth (like a tablespoon at a time) and really mash them in the bowl. Or, if you have one handy, give the whole sweet potato mixture a quick pulse or two in a food processor. It makes them super silky!
Print
Irresistible Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A hearty and flavorful casserole featuring ground turkey and sweet potatoes, perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
- 2 cups cooked sweet potato, mashed
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add chopped onion to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in minced garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and rosemary. Cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
- In a large bowl, combine the mashed sweet potato and chicken broth. Stir until smooth.
- Add the cooked turkey mixture and chopped parsley to the sweet potato mixture. Stir to combine.
- Transfer the mixture to a greased 8×8 inch baking dish.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until heated through and bubbly.
- Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
- For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of milk or cream to the sweet potato mixture.
- Top with shredded cheese during the last 5 minutes of baking for a cheesy crust.
- This casserole can be made ahead of time and reheated.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 30 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: ground turkey, sweet potato, casserole, dinner, easy recipe, healthy meal