Baked Ground Turkey and Sweet Potato Empanadas with a Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Aioli

I have an obsession with ground turkey. I use it often in many recipes (skinny lasagna, meatballs, turkey picadillo, etc.) It's an easy substitution for ground beef, and is usually a leaner option. My latest creation made with ground turkey were ground turkey and sweet potato empanadas for Sunday football. I was watching my beloved Miami Dolphins play and enjoying some yummy food. I grew up eating empanadas filled with all sorts of meats and fruit. I knew I wanted empanadas for my football menu and knew that I didn't want anything fried. So, I decided to make these amazing baked empanadas:

Ingredients:

1 lb ground turkey

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 carrot, peeled and chopped

1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into small pieces

salt and pepper

1 tsp ground cumin

1 tsp ground oregano

shredded Mexican cheese blend

1 egg for an egg wash

In a pot, over medium-high heat, add olive oil, onions and garlic. Cook for about 3 minutes and then add ground turkey. Cook until turkey has browned. Add carrots and continue cooking.

Cut sweet potato into small bite-sized pieces. Add sweet potato to turkey. Add salt, pepper, cumin and oregano and mix together. Cover and cook on medium heat for about 7-8 minutes. Remove turkey from heat.

When I make empanadas, I take a shortcut on the dough. Surely you can make your own dough, but I purchase packaged frozen dough at the grocery store. SOOO much easier. Make sure you defrost your dough by leaving it out for 1 hour prior to using.

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lay out your empanada circles on a lightly floured surface. Add about 1 spoonful of the ground turkey and sweet potato mixture to one-half of the circle.

Top with shredded cheese. 

Now close your empanada by making sure the sides meet up. Then take a fork and press down all around the empanada to close it securely. 

Transfer empanadas to a lightly greased baking pan. Brush with an egg wash and transfer to oven. Bake empanadas until they turn golden brown, about 15 minutes.

Aren't they gorgeous?

I love ground turkey and sweet potatoes. I think they go amazing together!! I served my empanadas with a red pepper garlic aioli. The aioli is super easy to make. 

Roasted Red Pepper Garlic Aioli

Ingredients:

1 roasted red pepper

1 cup lite mayonnaise

3 garlic cloves

1 chipotle pepper with adobo

salt and pepper 

Add all ingredients into the blender or a food processor. Blend until smooth.

Easy, huh?

These empanadas were perfect game-day food. They are handheld, only require a napkin and can be made for a crowd!