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Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Casserole, fall casserole recipes comfort
Brittany Stage

Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Casserole

Seasoned ground turkey layered with thin sweet potato slices and topped with melted sharp cheddar makes a filling, balanced casserole that comes together with everyday ingredients. Browning the turkey first and covering the dish with foil early on are the two steps that make it work every time.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: American
Calories: 445

Ingredients
  

  • 1 1/4 lbs ground turkey 93% lean
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp kosher salt divided
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper divided
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, drained
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup chicken broth low sodium
  • 2 large sweet potatoes peeled and sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • 1 1/2 cups sharp cheddar cheese freshly shredded
  • 2 tbsp fresh cilantro or parsley chopped, for serving

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • mandoline or sharp knife
  • 9x13-inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray or a thin coat of olive oil. Set it aside.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens. Add the garlic, cumin, chili powder, and smoked paprika and stir for 30 seconds until you can smell the spices blooming. Add the ground turkey and break it apart with a spoon. Cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring regularly, until the turkey is completely browned and no pink remains. Drain any excess liquid from the skillet.
  3. Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and chicken broth. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 3 minutes so it tightens up slightly. It should look saucy but not watery. Remove from heat.
  4. Arrange half of the sweet potato slices in an even layer on the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Season them lightly with a pinch of the remaining salt and pepper. Spoon the turkey mixture evenly over the sweet potato layer. Arrange the remaining sweet potato slices on top of the turkey in an overlapping layer, like shingles. Season the top layer of sweet potatoes lightly with the last of the salt and pepper.
  5. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 25 minutes covered. This steams the sweet potatoes so they become tender all the way through without drying out.
  6. Remove the foil and scatter the shredded cheddar evenly over the top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling at the edges and the sweet potato slices on top are tender when you press them with a fork.
  7. Let the casserole sit for 5 minutes before cutting and serving. Scatter fresh cilantro or parsley over the top. Serve directly from the baking dish.

Notes

Slice the sweet potatoes as close to 1/4 inch as possible for even cooking. Thicker slices will not cook through in the same time as the filling. A mandoline makes this step quick and consistent.