High Protein Ground Turkey Stuffed Sweet Potato Recipe
A delicious and nutritious high-protein meal featuring lean ground turkey stuffed inside tender sweet potatoes, combined with a flavorful mixture of spices, vegetables, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for a wholesome dinner packed with vitamins, protein, and fiber.
- Author: nova
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Broiling, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
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
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
- 2 green onions, finely sliced
- Salsa, to taste
- Plain Greek yogurt or sour cream, to serve
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Pierce each sweet potato multiple times with a fork. Using a microwave, cook one sweet potato at a time for about 3 minutes on each side or until soft. Alternatively, preheat your oven to 425ºF, prick sweet potatoes all over with a fork, place on a foil-lined baking sheet, and bake for 45 to 50 minutes until tender. Allow them to cool.
- Prepare the Sweet Potato Filling: Once cool, slice each sweet potato lengthwise and scoop out the flesh carefully so as to keep the skins intact. Mash the flesh gently in a large bowl with olive oil and ground cumin. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook the Turkey Mixture: Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add minced garlic and cook until fragrant. Add ground turkey and cook until browned. Stir in ground cumin, paprika, dried oregano, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Add diced tomatoes, grated zucchini, spinach, black beans, and corn kernels if using. Cook until heated through and well combined.
- Assemble the Stuffed Potatoes: Place the empty sweet potato skins on a baking sheet. Evenly distribute the mashed sweet potato mixture back into the skins. Top each one generously with the cooked turkey mixture. Sprinkle grated cheddar cheese over the top.
- Broil and Serve: Place the assembled stuffed sweet potatoes under the oven broiler for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the cheese melts, browns, and bubbles. Remove from the oven and garnish with sliced green onions. Serve hot with salsa and a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream for extra creaminess.
Notes
- For a vegetarian alternative, replace ground turkey with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu and adjust seasoning accordingly.
- Cooking times for sweet potatoes may vary based on their size and your microwave or oven efficiency.
- Black beans and corn are optional but add extra protein and fiber.
- Use low-fat cheese or yogurt for a lighter version if desired.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed sweet potato
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 7 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 35 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: high protein, ground turkey, stuffed sweet potato, healthy dinner, lean protein, easy recipe, gluten free option