If you’re looking for a comforting yet nutritious meal to brighten up your weeknight dinners, this Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe is an absolute winner. It brings together the tender, lean flavor of ground turkey and the natural sweetness of diced sweet potatoes, all topped off with melty mozzarella cheese. The blend of vibrant vegetables, a hint of spice, and that gooey cheese creates a harmony of tastes and textures that feels like a warm hug on a plate. Quick to prepare and packed with wholesome ingredients, this dish is perfect for busy cooks who crave something satisfying and wholesome without any fuss.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering the right ingredients for this Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe is straightforward, but each one plays a starring role in bringing flavor, color, and texture together beautifully. From the silky sweetness of yellow peppers to the savory garlic, every ingredient helps make this dish truly special.
- Extra virgin olive oil: Adds a subtle fruity richness and helps cook the turkey without sticking.
- Free-range extra-lean ground turkey: Keeps the dish light yet protein-packed; feel free to swap with grass-fed ground beef if preferred.
- Garlic, minced: Infuses the dish with a fragrant foundation that brightens all other flavors.
- Onions, diced: Bring sweetness and depth once softened, enhancing the overall savory profile.
- Yellow pepper, diced: Offers a mild sweetness and a pop of golden color.
- Sweet potato, diced: The star root vegetable adding natural sweetness and a lovely tender texture.
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential seasonings that balance and elevate all the other ingredients.
- Red chili flakes (optional): Just a pinch adds a subtle warmth for those who enjoy a little kick.
- Shredded mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully for gooey, cheesy perfection; omit if following Whole30 or Paleo.
- Fresh parsley: A fresh, herbaceous garnish that brightens the final presentation.
How to Make Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Step 1: Heat the Skillet
Begin by warming your cast iron skillet over medium-high heat and pour in the olive oil. This step ensures the pan is hot enough to sear the turkey nicely, which helps lock in flavor and creates a deliciously caramelized base for your dish.
Step 2: Cook the Turkey and Garlic
Add the ground turkey along with the minced garlic into the sizzling skillet. Break up the turkey as it cooks to ensure an even texture. This process takes about five minutes until the meat is browned through, and the garlic releases its aromatic charm.
Step 3: Add the Vegetables
Next, toss in the diced onions and yellow peppers. Stir frequently and cook until the onions soften and become translucent. This adds a sweet, mellow flavor and beautiful color contrast that complements the turkey and sweet potatoes perfectly.
Step 4: Incorporate Sweet Potatoes and Seasonings
Now it’s time to add the diced sweet potatoes, a pinch of red chili flakes if you’re feeling adventurous, and season with salt and pepper. Cover the skillet and let everything cook until the sweet potatoes turn tender. This step melds all the flavors together, allowing the natural sweetness of the potatoes to shine through.
Step 5: Preheat the Oven and Add Cheese
While the sweet potatoes are cooking, preheat your oven to 400ºF. Once tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the skillet. Pop it into the oven just long enough to let the cheese melt into a golden, bubbly layer that everyone will love.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Remove the skillet from the oven and sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top for a burst of freshness. Serve straight from the pan for that inviting, rustic feel that makes this Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe such a heartwarming meal.
How to Serve Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh parsley is a wonderful garnish that adds a subtle herbal brightness and a pop of lively green color. If you want to amplify the warmth, a few extra red chili flakes on top can bring gentle heat that pairs well with the creamy cheese and sweet potatoes.
Side Dishes
This skillet pairs beautifully with a simple green salad tossed in lemon vinaigrette to cut through the richness or some steamed green beans for crunch and freshness. For a heartier meal, serve alongside crusty bread to soak up every cheesy, flavorful bite.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this dish in individual oven-safe skillets or cast iron mini pans to make a special presentation for guests. You can also layer the skillet contents into a bake dish topped with extra cheese and breadcrumbs for a crispy crust twist on the classic recipe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once cooled, store any leftover Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days, making it perfect for next-day lunches or quick dinners.
Freezing
If you want to keep it longer, freeze the cooled skillet mixture without the cheese topping in a freezer-safe container. When ready to enjoy, thaw overnight in the fridge and then reheat with fresh cheese melted on top for that signature gooey finish.
Reheating
Reheat leftovers gently in a skillet over medium heat or in a 350ºF oven until warmed through. Add extra cheese on top and broil briefly if you want to refresh that melted layer before serving.
FAQs
Can I substitute ground beef for the turkey?
Absolutely! Ground beef is a great alternative, especially grass-fed beef for added flavor depth. Keep in mind that beef may create slightly more juices, so adjust cooking time accordingly.
Is this recipe suitable for meal prep?
Yes, it’s perfect for meal prep. The ingredients hold up well refrigerated, and the flavors actually deepen after a day or two. Just reheat thoroughly before eating.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Definitely. Simply omit the mozzarella cheese or swap it for a plant-based cheese alternative. The dish will still taste fantastic, with the sweet potatoes and turkey making it hearty and satisfying.
How spicy is the dish with red chili flakes?
The chili flakes add only a mild warmth that doesn’t overpower the dish, but you can skip them entirely or add more based on your heat preference.
What is the best way to dice sweet potatoes evenly?
To ensure even cooking, peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into uniform small cubes, about half-inch pieces. Using a sharp knife and a steady hand will help achieve this quickly and safely.
Final Thoughts
This Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe is a delicious, nourishing dish that I always feel happy to share. It’s simple, uses wholesome ingredients, and comes together fast, making it one of those recipes you’ll want to keep close for busy nights. Give it a try, and I promise you’ll be hooked on that beautiful combination of cheese melting over juicy turkey and sweet, tender potatoes!
Print
Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
This Cheesy Turkey and Sweet Potato Skillet is a wholesome and flavorful one-pan meal, featuring lean ground turkey, tender sweet potatoes, and gooey melted mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner, this recipe combines savory and slightly sweet elements with optional spicy chili flakes and fresh parsley for garnish.
Ingredients
Proteins and Vegetables
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound free-range extra-lean ground turkey (or grass-fed ground beef)
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- ½ cup onions, diced
- ½ cup yellow pepper, diced
- 1½ cups sweet potato, diced
Seasonings and Garnishes
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- A pinch of red chili flakes (optional)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (omit for Whole30 or Paleo)
- Fresh parsley, for garnishing (optional)
Instructions
- Heat Skillet: In a cast iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the turkey and vegetables.
- Cook Turkey: Add the ground turkey and minced garlic to the skillet. Break up the turkey with a spatula as it cooks for about 5 minutes until browned and cooked through.
- Add Vegetables: Stir in the diced onions and yellow peppers. Continue to cook until the onions become soft and translucent.
- Add Sweet Potatoes: Add the diced sweet potatoes along with red chili flakes (if using), salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients. Cover the skillet and cook until the sweet potatoes are tender, approximately 10-12 minutes.
- Preheat Oven: While the sweet potatoes cook, preheat your oven to 400ºF (200ºC) to prepare for melting the cheese.
- Add Cheese: Once the sweet potatoes are tender, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the skillet contents. Place the skillet in the oven and bake briefly until the cheese melts and becomes gooey, about 3-5 minutes.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the skillet from the oven. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired and serve hot for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with grass-fed ground beef if preferred.
- For a dairy-free or Whole30/Paleo-friendly version, omit the mozzarella cheese or replace with suitable alternatives.
- Adjust the red chili flakes to control the heat level or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Cooking sweet potatoes until tender is key; if needed, cover and cook longer on low heat or add a splash of water to soften faster.
- Use a cast iron skillet or oven-safe skillet to seamlessly move from stovetop to oven.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
