Imagine a dish that combines the hearty richness of ground turkey, the sweet earthiness of roasted sweet potatoes, and the vibrant flavors of Italian cuisine - all baked into one mouthwatering casserole. This isn't just another weeknight dinner; it's a culinary adventure that transforms simple ingredients into a restaurant-quality meal that will have your family begging for seconds. Get ready to elevate your cooking game with this irresistible, nutritious, and incredibly delicious Italian Turkey Sweet Potato Casserole!
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs 5 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 2 medium sweet potatoes, diced
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup spinach, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with olive oil or cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Wash and dice the sweet potatoes into uniform 1/2-inch cubes. Chop the onion and garlic finely, and roughly chop the spinach leaves.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground turkey, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook for 6-8 minutes until no pink remains.
- Add chopped onions and garlic to the turkey. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and chopped spinach. Simmer the mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Layer the diced sweet potatoes evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish.
- Pour the turkey and vegetable mixture over the sweet potatoes, spreading it uniformly.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the entire casserole, covering the surface completely.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and make cutting easier.
Tips
- Sweet Potato Prep: Cut sweet potatoes into uniform cubes to ensure even cooking and consistent texture.
- Turkey Technique: Brown the ground turkey thoroughly to develop deep, rich flavors and prevent a watery casserole.
- Cheese Melting Hack: For extra golden and crispy cheese topping, broil the casserole for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Make-Ahead Magic: This casserole can be assembled earlier in the day and refrigerated, then baked when ready to serve.
- Flavor Boosters: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or fresh basil for an extra flavor kick.
- Moisture Control: If the casserole seems too wet, drain the canned tomatoes before adding to the mixture.
- Serving Suggestion: Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 30g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 5g
Cholesterol: 90mg
