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A close-up of a casserole dish filled with a baked mixture of black beans, ground meat, sweet potatoes, and melted cheese. A blue spoon is scooping out a portion from the casserole.
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Cheesy Southwest Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Casserole

This Cheesy Southwest Ground Turkey & Sweet Potato Casserole is the ultimate comfort food! Loaded with savory black beans and tender sweet potatoes, it’s a filling meal that's perfect for family dinner. It's delicious served over fluffy rice (taco bowls!) or tucked into warm tortillas!
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Mexican
Keyword cheesy turkey bake, Family Dinner Casserole, Ground Turkey Sweet Potato casserole, Southwest Black Bean Casserole
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Total Time 1 hour
Servings 6
Author Pamela Reed

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1/2 cup onions finely diced
  • 1/2 cup red bell pepper (or yellow pepper) diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups sweet potatoes peeled and diced small (see notes)
  • (1) 15 ounce can black beans drained (i dont rinse them!)
  • 1 cup salsa (go with your favorite - mild or medium)
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Mexican blend cheese divided
  • optional: cilantro or green onions for topping chopped

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and spray a 9x13 baking dish with nonstick spray.
  • Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey, onion, and peppers. Cook, breaking the meat apart, until the turkey is fully browned and veggies are soft (about 5–7 minutes).
  • Add the garlic, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  • Add the diced sweet potatoes, black beans, and the salsa. Stir well.
  • Cover the skillet and let it simmer on low for 5 minutes. This jump-starts the sweet potatoes so they are tender later.
  • Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the cheese.
  • Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish. Press it down slightly.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Remove foil, sprinkle the remaining 1 cup of cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve with warm tortillas or serve over rice with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole. For extra garnish, add fresh cilantro or green onions on top.

Notes

Tip: Make sure to dice your sweet potatoes into small, even pieces, it helps them cook way faster and ensures every bite is perfectly tender.