(Family Features) Hearty, comforting foods that go perfectly with cold weather may be some of your family’s favorites, but if all those filling meals are starting to (literally) weigh you down, it’s time for a better-for-you spin.

Add a superfood to your winter menu for cold-weather dishes you can feel good about serving to your loved ones. Sweet potatoes, known as a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association, are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber, all of which are good for overall health. They’re a natural sweetener for that “sweet” flavor you crave without the added sugar, making them a perfect addition to this Cheesy Sweet potato Casserole made with sweet potato puree, warm spices, and ground turkey.

A healthy and easy weeknight dinner, this creative spin on a classic casserole takes advantage of sweet potatoes’ sweet, savory versatility. They enhance both flavor and nutrition content in simple and elevated recipes alike. Plus, they can be cooked and prepared in several ways, such as on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked, or in this case, boiled and pureed.

Visit ncsweetpotatoes.com to discover more ways to cook better-for-you family meals this winter.

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Cheesy Sweet Potato Casserole

Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission

Servings: 6

• 1          medium North Carolina sweetpotato
• 16        ounces shell pasta (or any kind of noodle)

Ground Turkey:

• 1          tablespoon olive oil
• 1          pound lean ground turkey
• 1/2       medium yellow onion, minced
• 1          teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/8       teaspoon salt
• 1/8       teaspoon ground pepper
• 1/4       teaspoon powdered mustard

Cheese Sauce:

• 3          tablespoons tomato puree
• 1/2       cup chicken broth (or any kind of broth)
• 1          cup shredded colby jack cheese, plus additional for topping (optional)
•             salt, to taste
•             nonstick cooking spray
• fresh parsley, for garnish

Peel the sweet potato and chop into 1-inch cubes. Place in pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cook 13-15 minutes until sweet potatoes are tender. Drain and let cool for 2-3 minutes then puree in a food processor or blender.

Bring a large pot of water to boil. Add shell pasta. Cook until slightly harder than al dente as it will continue to cook in the oven.

Strain pasta, rinse with cold water, and set aside.

To make ground turkey: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add olive oil. When olive oil is fragrant, add ground turkey. Break the turkey into small pieces. Mix in onion, garlic powder, salt, ground pepper, and powdered mustard; cook 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat.

To make cheese sauce: Heat oven to 375 F and place sweet potato puree in a blender or food processor with tomato puree, chicken broth, 1 cup shredded cheese, and salt, to taste. Blend until combined and the sauce is smooth.

Spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Place noodles, ground turkey, and sweet potato sauce in a casserole dish and mix until coated in sweet potato cheese sauce. Sprinkle with additional shredded cheese, if desired, and bake for 15 minutes.

Remove, let cool for 10 minutes, and sprinkle with fresh parsley.