Sweet Potato Turkey Bean Bake (Printable Version)

Hearty baked casserole with sweet potatoes, ground turkey, black beans, and melted cheese for a wholesome dinner.

# What You'll Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and diced
03 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced
04 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Beans

06 - 1 (15 oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained

→ Spices and Herbs

07 - 1 tsp ground cumin
08 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
10 - 1/2 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Wet Ingredients

13 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
14 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth

→ Toppings

15 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
16 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
17 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish and set aside.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks, about 5 to 6 minutes.
03 - Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
04 - Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add the diced sweet potatoes, rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth. Bring to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
06 - Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
07 - Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
08 - Let the bake cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh cilantro and sliced avocado if desired.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • Sweet potatoes and black beans together create this creamy, earthy base that feels like comfort food but actually fuels you well.
  • Everything cooks in one skillet before it goes into the oven, so cleanup is shockingly painless for a casserole.
  • The smoked paprika and cumin give it a warmth that makes the whole kitchen smell incredible while it bakes.
02 -
  • If your sweet potato cubes are too large they will still be crunchy after baking, so aim for half inch pieces and no bigger.
  • Do not skip the foil cover for the first twenty minutes because the steam is what actually cooks the sweet potatoes through.
  • The bake firms up as it sits, so leftovers slice into neat squares the next day and reheat beautifully.
03 -
  • Taste the filling before it goes into the baking dish and adjust salt and spice because once the cheese goes on there is no going back.
  • A squeeze of lime juice over each serving right before eating brightens every flavor on the plate in a way you will not expect.

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