High Protein Ground Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potatoes Recipe
A hearty and nutritious high-protein meal featuring lean ground turkey and sweet potatoes. This recipe combines seasoned ground turkey with fresh vegetables and spices, stuffed inside tender baked sweet potato skins, topped with melted cheddar cheese, and garnished with salsa and Greek yogurt for a delicious, wholesome dish perfect for a filling dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Sweet Potatoes
- 4 medium-sized sweet potatoes
- 1/3 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon avocado or olive oil
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
Turkey Mixture
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup diced canned tomatoes (with their juice)
- 1 medium zucchini, grated
- A large handful of spinach, chopped
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained (optional)
- 1 cup corn kernels, usually frozen (optional)
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- Salsa, as desired
- Plain Greek yogurt, as desired
Instructions
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Pierce each sweet potato several times with a fork. If microwaving, cook each potato individually for about 3 minutes per side or until soft, adjusting time based on microwave power. Alternatively, preheat your oven to 425ºF, prick the potatoes with a fork, place on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until tender. Let them cool.
- Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling: Once cooled, slice each sweet potato lengthwise and gently scoop out the flesh without breaking the skins. Mash the flesh in a bowl with 1 teaspoon of avocado or olive oil, 1/3 teaspoon ground cumin, and salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the Turkey Mixture: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Sauté the finely chopped garlic until fragrant. Add the ground turkey and cook until browned. Stir in 1 teaspoon each of ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add diced canned tomatoes (with juice), grated zucchini, chopped spinach, black beans, and corn kernels (if using). Cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through and well combined.
- Assemble the Stuffed Potatoes: Place the empty sweet potato skins on a baking sheet. Spoon the mashed sweet potato mixture back into each skin evenly. Top each with a generous portion of the turkey and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese on top.
- Broil and Serve: Place the baking sheet under the broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and slightly browned. Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions, salsa, and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a vegetarian alternative, substitute ground turkey with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground crumble.
- Adjust spice levels by modifying the amount of chili powder used.
- Cooking times for sweet potatoes may vary depending on their size and your microwave or oven.
- Optional ingredients like black beans and corn add fiber and extra nutrients but can be omitted if preferred.
- To reduce fat, use reduced-fat cheddar cheese or omit cheese topping.
Keywords: high protein, ground turkey, stuffed sweet potato, healthy dinner, baked sweet potato, low fat meal
