Name: Healthy Taco Casserole
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil, divided; 1 large sweet potato, diced; 1 lb ground turkey or chicken ((can also use ground beef)); 1 yellow onion, diced; 2 cloves garlic minced; 1 tbsp chili powder; 1 tsp cumin; 1 tsp paprika; 1 each red, green and yellow pepper, diced; 1 cup cheddar cheese, grated; 2 beefsteak tomatoes, diced; 2 green onions, sliced; 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped; Tortilla chips for serving (optional)

This Healthy Taco Casserole is a lighter delicious take on a taco dinner filled with ground turkey, sweet potatoes and bell peppers.

This bake is the perfect mix of protein and veggies. It's so comforting and healthy, and ends up keeping me full for a long time.

Why you'll love this recipe

Perfect for meal prep: It stores and reheats well, so it's perfect for lunches or quick dinners throughout the week.
Healthy and filling: Made with lean ground turkey, sweet potatoes and bell peppers, it’s packed with nutrients and keeps you full.
One-pan convenience: Everything cooks together in one dish, so cleanup is quick and easy.

Ingredients and substitutions

Olive oil – any neutral oil will work like grapeseed oil, canola oil or avocado oil.
Sweet potato – yams or butternut squash can be used instead or you can use a white or red potato.
Ground turkey – ground chicken, ground pork or extra lean ground beef would all be good in this recipe.
Yellow onion – red onion, sweet onion or shallots would be the best substitutes here.
Garlic – use fresh or jarred minced garlic in this recipe.
Chili powder – cayenne pepper or crushed chili flakes are great alternatives to chili powder.
Cumin – ground coriander, curry powder or caraway seeds will provide a similar flavour.
Paprika – cayenne pepper is a great alternative to paprika. Chili powder or taco seasoning can also be used as a substitution.
Green, red and yellow bell peppers – use any or all colours of your choice. Poblano peppers can add a touch of spice.
Cheddar cheese – use any shredded cheese blend of your choice. Tex Mex, habanero cheese blend or a sharp cheddar cheese are all great options.
Tomatoes – beefsteak tomatoes are great but any tomato of your choice can be used.
Green onions – swap out for some red onion or leave this off altogether.
Cilantro – leave this off altogether if you don’t have any on hand.
Tortilla chips – any tortilla chip brand you like can be used.

How to make this taco bake

Step 1: Roast the sweet potatoes.

Bake for 15–20 minutes until fork tender.

Step 2: Cook the turkey and spices.

Sauté the ground turkey with onions, garlic and spices.

Step 3: Assemble the bake.

Add the turkey mixture and bell peppers to the sweet potatoes. Sprinkle with cheese.

Step 4: Bake until the cheese melts.

Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Step 5: Add fresh toppings.

Top with diced tomatoes, green onions and cilantro.

Step 6: Serve and enjoy.

You're ready to dig in!

Meal Prep containers with Skinny Taco Bake

Recipe Tips and variations

You can easily customize this taco casserole to suit your taste or dietary needs—here are a few simple ways to change it up.

Make it low carb: Swap the sweet potatoes for cauliflower rice or chopped zucchini to cut back on carbs.
Add more veggies: Mix in corn, black beans, or spinach with the bell peppers for extra texture, fibre and colour.
Wraps and bowls: Use the filling to make lettuce wraps, stuff burritos, or layer over rice or quinoa for a quick taco-style bowl.
Spice it up : Add jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce if you like more heat. You can also mix chipotle powder into the spice blend for a smoky flavour.
Make it dairy-free: Omit the cheese or use a plant-based alternative to keep it dairy-free.

taco bake with ground turkey, diced bell pepper, onions, tomatoes and cheese

Frequently asked questions

Why is there liquid at the bottom of the bake?

This can happen if the sweet potatoes or bell peppers release too much moisture. Make sure to bake uncovered and avoid overloading the dish.

Can I use ground chicken or beef instead of turkey?

Yes, either one works well and cooks the same way. Just be sure to drain any excess fat if you're using a higher-fat meat.

Do I need to peel the sweet potatoes?

Peeling is optional. The skins are edible and add texture, but you can remove them if you prefer a smoother bite.

Meal Prep Skinny Taco Bake in meal prep containers

What to serve on the side

The great thing about this taco casserole bake recipe is that it makes a pretty complete meal all by itself. But here are some easy serving ideas to go along with it:

Black beans, cauliflower rice or your favourite tortilla chips
Quinoa chips or lower carb tortillas
Leftover nacho topping or as filling for burritos

How to store and reheat

Store: Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Reheat: Reheat individual portions in the microwave for 2 minutes, or warm in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Freeze and reheat from frozen: Freeze fully cooked portions for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then reheat in the microwave or oven.

Meal prep containers of low carb taco casserole

More Tex Mex recipes

See more related recipes

Meal prep tools for this recipe

Grab some glass meal prep bowls if you plan on using the taco casserole in your weekly lunches.

4.80 from 15 votes (10 ratings without comment)

Healthy Taco Casserole

Why you'll love this recipe

Ingredients and substitutions