Stuffed Sweet Potatoes with Spiced Ground Turkey and Pepper Jack Cheese Recipe
These stuffed sweet potatoes are a flavorful and nutritious dish featuring tender sweet potato halves filled with a spiced ground turkey mixture, topped with melted pepper jack cheese and fresh parsley. This quick and hearty meal combines microwave cooking, stovetop sautéing, and broiling for a delicious balance of textures and rich flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Microwaving, Stovetop, Broiling
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Sweet Potatoes
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cumin, divided
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon salt
- ¼ + ⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper
Turkey Filling
- ¾ pound lean (93%) ground turkey
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 1 ¼ cup canned crushed tomatoes
Topping and Garnish
- ¼ cup grated pepper Jack cheese
- 2 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley
Instructions
- Cook the Sweet Potatoes: Pierce the sweet potatoes all over with a fork. Microwave on HIGH for 4 to 5 minutes per side until tender when pierced with a fork. Let them rest until cool enough to handle.
- Prepare the Sweet Potato Flesh: Cut the cooled sweet potatoes in half lengthwise. Carefully scoop out the flesh and place it in a medium bowl, reserving the skins. Mash the flesh with a fork until mostly smooth. Stir in olive oil, ½ teaspoon ground cumin, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Evenly divide the mashed sweet potato back into the potato skins and place them on a baking sheet.
- Cook the Ground Turkey Filling: Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and lightly coat with cooking spray. Add the ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until fully cooked. Stir in the minced garlic, chili powder, remaining ¾ teaspoon cumin, dried oregano, paprika, and the remaining ⅛ teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Stir in the crushed tomatoes and heat through.
- Broil and Serve: Preheat the broiler. Spoon the turkey mixture into each prepared sweet potato skin. Top each with 1 tablespoon grated pepper Jack cheese. Broil until the cheese melts, about 30 seconds. Garnish with minced flat-leaf parsley and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground chicken or lean beef for the turkey if preferred.
- Adjust the chili powder and paprika to control the spice level.
- For a vegetarian option, replace the turkey with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
- Make sure not to overcook the sweet potatoes in the microwave to avoid mushy skins.
- If you don't have a broiler, you can finish under a high-heat grill or in a very hot oven until the cheese melts.