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 turkey1 small onion, chopped2 cloves garlic, chopped1 carrot, peeled and chopped1 small sweet potato, peeled and cut into small piecessalt and pepper1 tsp ground cumin1 tsp ground oreganoshredded Mexican cheese blend1 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 pepper1 cup lite mayonnaise3 garlic cloves1 chipotle pepper with adobosalt 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!