Sweet Potato Turkey Black Bean Bake (Printable Version)
A comforting sweet potato, turkey, and black bean casserole with melted cheese and bold spices for a wholesome family dinner.
# Ingredient List:
→ Meats
01 - 1 pound 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 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
→ Spices and Herbs
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Wet Ingredients
13 - 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
14 - 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
→ Toppings
15 - 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack or cheddar cheese
16 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)
17 - 1 avocado, sliced (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray or oil.
02 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground turkey until browned throughout, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add the diced onion, red bell pepper, and minced garlic. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until the vegetables have softened.
03 - Stir in the ground cumin, smoked paprika, chili powder, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly, until the spices are fragrant and well distributed.
04 - Add the diced sweet potatoes, rinsed black beans, diced tomatoes with their juices, and chicken broth to the skillet. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes begin to soften.
05 - Transfer the entire mixture from the skillet into the prepared baking dish, spreading it into an even layer. Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
06 - Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly across the top. Return the dish to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are fork-tender and the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
07 - Allow the bake to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish individual portions with chopped fresh cilantro and sliced avocado if desired.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one skillet before baking, so you are looking at minimal cleanup and maximum flavor payoff
- The sweet potatoes get perfectly tender in the sauce while holding their shape, creating these little nuggets of sweetness in every bite
02 -
- Cut your sweet potatoes into evenly sized cubes or you will end up with some pieces mushy while others are still crunch
- Letting the spices cook with the turkey for that full minute before adding liquids is what transforms them from dusty to deeply aromatic
03 -
- If you want extra heat, mince a jalapeño and cook it with the onions, the seeds are where most of the fire lives
- A squeeze of fresh lime juice right before serving wakes up all the flavors in a way that feels almost professional