Description
A flavorful and hearty Ground Turkey Sweet Potato Skillet recipe that combines lean ground turkey with sweet potatoes, peppers, and a touch of mozzarella cheese for a comforting and nutritious one-pan meal. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this skillet dish is both satisfying and easy to prepare, featuring a balance of protein, vegetables, and wholesome carbs.
Ingredients
Skillet Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound free-range extra-lean ground turkey (or grass-fed ground beef)
- 1 teaspoon garlic clove, minced
- ½ cup onions, diced
- ½ cup yellow pepper, diced
- 1½ cups sweet potato, diced
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of red chili flakes (optional)
Toppings
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (omit if following Whole30 or Paleo diet)
- Fresh parsley, for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Heat the Skillet: In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering to prepare for cooking the turkey.
- Cook Ground Turkey and Garlic: Add the ground turkey and minced garlic to the skillet. Use a wooden spoon to break up the meat as it cooks, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onions and Yellow Peppers: Add the diced onions and yellow peppers to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Add Sweet Potatoes and Seasonings: Mix in the diced sweet potatoes along with red chili flakes (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Cook Sweet Potatoes: Cover the skillet with a lid and reduce heat to medium. Cook for about 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sweet potatoes are tender. Add more olive oil or a splash of water if needed to help the potatoes cook faster and to prevent sticking.
- Preheat Oven: While the sweet potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to prepare for melting the cheese.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the skillet mixture. Transfer the skillet to the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven carefully. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot directly from the skillet for a rustic and satisfying meal.
Notes
- For a Whole30 or Paleo-friendly version, simply omit the mozzarella cheese topping.
- You can substitute ground turkey with grass-fed ground beef if preferred.
- If sweet potatoes are not tender enough before cheese addition, continue cooking with a lid and small amounts of water until done.
- Red chili flakes are optional and can be adjusted according to your spice preference.
- Using a cast iron skillet enhances heat distribution and flavor but any oven-safe skillet will work.