Preheat the Oven:

• Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). This ensures the casserole cooks evenly.
• Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. This prevents the casserole from sticking. You can also line the baking dish with parchment paper.

Cook the Ground Turkey:

• In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. This helps to release the flavors of the onion.
• Add the ground turkey to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-6 minutes. This ensures the turkey is cooked through.
• Drain any excess fat if necessary. This helps to keep the casserole healthy.

Add the Vegetables and Seasonings:

• Stir in the minced garlic, diced red bell pepper, sweet potatoes, smoked paprika, cumin, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Cook for an additional 3-5 minutes until the spices are fragrant and the vegetables are lightly softened. This helps to release the flavors of the spices and soften the vegetables slightly.

Assemble and Bake:

• Transfer the turkey and vegetable mixture to the prepared baking dish.
• Cover with foil. This helps to keep the casserole moist during baking.
• Bake for 25 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender. Use a fork to check the tenderness of the sweet potatoes.

Add Cheese and Finish Baking:

• Remove the foil.
• Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
• Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly. This creates a delicious cheesy topping.

Serve:

• Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro if desired. This adds a fresh, vibrant touch.
• Serve hot and enjoy!