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These turkey stuffed bell peppers are like a delicious and hearty meal in edible bowls. They’re easy to make with ground turkey, rice, and melty cheese!
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These turkey stuffed bell peppers are a lighter take on your usual stuffed peppers.
Instead of beef, these are stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice in yummy tomato sauce.
And if that hearty filling is still not filling you with excitement, maybe the melty mozzarella cheese on top will! ?
Worried that your stuffed peppers will come out tough or watery? This recipe uses a trick before filling them.
Read on to find out.
What are Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers?
Turkey stuffed bell peppers are like a comfort food in edible containers.
You’ll cut off the top of the peppers, take out their seeds and core, and fill them with tender ground turkey and fluffy rice in rich tomato sauce.
Top the stuffed peppers with cheese and bake until you have delicious meal “packages” that can be savored from top to bottom.
You’ll get soft and slightly tender peppers on the outside, meaty tomato rice inside, and melty cheese with crisp, brown patches on top. Oh, and don’t forget to garnish them with fresh parsley, of course!
These turkey stuffed bell peppers will give you the heartiness of a burrito, the familiar flavors of pizza, and the comfort of tomato pasta.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Filling: These ground turkey stuffed bell peppers are like a complete meal on their own! They’re also a delicious and satisfying alternative to your usual (but fatty) beef stuffed peppers without falling short on flavor.
- Simple: These stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice are so easy to make with simple ingredients. You can also prepare them in advance for hosting or as part of your dinner routine on busy weeknights!
- Adaptable: Customize or make ingredient swaps and make your own unique version of stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey. You won’t get bored of the variations for the turkey mixture. Need inspiration? You’re only a few scrolls down away from delicious suggestions!
What Do Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey Taste Like?
These turkey stuffed bell peppers taste savory and cheesy. You’ll get the classic combination of cheese, tomatoes, and bell peppers made more enjoyable by the generous filling of delicious ground turkey and rice.
I know ground beef is an easy pick when making stuffed bell peppers. After all, ground turkey has a bad rap, as it can sometimes get dry and bland.
The trick is to brown it first before using it as a filling. We can also thank tomato sauce, which binds the rice and meat together, giving you juicy and tasty stuffed ground turkey bell peppers.
Completing these stuffed peppers is plenty of mozzarella cheese on top, which turns brown and melty after baking.
And if you’re guilty of ignoring the pepper halves on your stuffed peppers, this recipe might be the one to break your habit.
The bell peppers of these turkey stuffed bell peppers are soft but still slightly tender for an enjoyable bite! This is from giving it a jumpstart in cooking compared to the typical way of making stuffed peppers by baking them in water.
Ingredients For Ground Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Bell peppers – You can’t go wrong with sweet red bell peppers, but you can also stuff different colors of bell peppers and nail your presentation.
- Ground turkey – Opt for 93% lean ground turkey so it won’t get dry as easily.
- White onion – You can also use red or yellow onion for the ground turkey’s delicious flavor base.
- Garlic – Besides onion, we’ll saute fresh garlic as the savory (not to mention mouthwateringly aromatic) base for our ground turkey filling.
- Salt – Don’t forget to season as you go with the filling! You can also season the bell pepper cavities with salt before stuffing them.
- Ground black pepper – Try this recipe with your favorite spices! I think I’ll try turkey stuffed bell peppers with chili powder next time!
- White rice – Makes our turkey stuffed bell peppers more substantial to enjoy! For alternatives, keep on reading.Â
- Tomato sauce – No dry filling here, thanks to tomato sauce! The pairing of tender ground meat and tomato sauce might also remind you of your favorite comforting tomato pasta dish.Â
- Mozzarella cheese – We’ll top the stuffed peppers with mozzarella cheese for an indulgent touch.Â
- Avocado oil – For cooking the meat, but any neutral oil will do.Â
- Cilantro – With its fresh, citrusy flavor, cilantro is the perfect topper on these stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice.
Tools Needed To Prepare Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey
- Skillet for browning the ground turkey
- Saucepan for cooking the bell pepper stuffing
- Glass baking dish for baking the stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice
- Aluminum foil for covering the baking dish
Ingredient Additions & Substitutions For Stuffed Ground Turkey Bell Peppers
Can I use beef for this recipe?
Sure! Make ground beef stuffed bell peppers instead.
Just don’t forget to drain off the grease after browning the meat.Â
White rice alternative
Another type of rice you can use for these turkey stuffed bell peppers is brown rice. The nutty flavor will also be delicious with the rich, savory filling.Â
Shredded mozzarella substitutes
Cheese lovers unite! Feel free to use your favorite melty cheese on these stuffed bell peppers with turkey and rice.
You can’t go wrong with cheddar cheese or gruyere.
But for a taco-inspired take on these stuffed peppers, try them with a Mexican-style four-cheese blend!
More add-ins
Add lots of veggies, seasonings, fresh herbs, and spices to these stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey! I vote for jalapenos and corn!
You can also include zucchini in the filling or season the peppers with garlic powder instead of just salt and pepper.
How to Make Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- 2 bell peppers (we used red and green)
- 1/2 lb ground turkey
- 1 tbsp white onion, diced
- 1/2 garlic clove, minced
- Salt to taste
- Ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup white rice, cooked
- 1/2 can tomato sauce (15 oz. can)
- 3/8 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
- Avocado oil
- Cilantro, chopped for garnish
Tools you need:
Instructions:
STEP 1: Gather the ingredients to make your stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
STEP 2: Add your cooking oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic.
STEP 3: Next, add the turkey to the skillet, breaking up the clumps with a spatula as it cooks. Don’t forget to season with salt and pepper!
STEP 4: Fill a saucepan 1/4 full with water and bring it to a boil.
STEP 5: Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove their seeds and core. The bell peppers should look like cups.
STEP 6: Boil the bell peppers for about 5 minutes.
STEP 7: Once the ground turkey is no longer pink, reduce the heat and add the cooked rice to the pan. Stir with a spatula to combine.
STEP 8: Pour the tomato sauce into the meat filling and season with more salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
STEP 9: Place the bell peppers upright in a glass baking dish. Fill the bell peppers with the turkey and rice mixture and top with cheese.
STEP 10: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
STEP 11: Remove the foil and cook for 15 minutes more.
STEP 12: Garnish your turkey stuffed bell peppers with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
What Do You Eat Stuffed Peppers With?
You can eat these turkey stuffed bell peppers with toppings like sour cream or guacamole. They would also be perfect with something spicy like hot sauce or habanero salsa. Yum!
If serving these stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey as a meal, enjoy it with something fresh and light, like an arugula salad. These peppers are already filling and satisfying thanks to the ground turkey and rice, so you don’t need very heavy sides with them.
My personal recommendation? I think bread is the perfect partner for ground turkey stuffed peppers. Imagine something crusty like a baguette with the tomatoey, meaty filling! ?
You can also make our prosciutto mascarpone honeyed arugula bruschetta as appetizers for these stuffed ground turkey bell peppers. They look and sound fancy, but they’re delightfully easy.Â
But if you’re more into slurping and sipping your appetizer, why not have these stuffed bell peppers turkey and rice with a warm, comforting bowl of stovetop chicken noodle soup?
Tips About Making Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Rice
- I highly recommend using similar-sized peppers for your stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice to ensure even cooking. You can also slice off a small flat surface underneath them to keep them upright in the baking dish.
- Do we really have to cook the ground turkey before stuffing the bell peppers? Yes! Browned meat will add more flavor, and since cooking makes the filling nice and juicy, it won’t dry out as easily when baked in the oven.
- You can keep things light when making these stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey. Instead of rice, opt for quinoa or cauliflower rice. You can also lessen the amount of cheese in the recipe, but if you don’t want to cut back on cheese (totally understandable! ?), just use reduced-fat mozzarella cheese!
How To Store Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey and Rice
- Fridge: Transfer leftover ground turkey stuffed bell peppers to an airtight container and they should keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days.
- Freezer: Can you freeze stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey? Yes, so they’re also perfect for meal prep! You can freeze unbaked stuffed bell peppers in a freezer-safe container for 2 to 3 months.
- Cooking and reheating: Thaw the make-ahead frozen turkey stuffed bell peppers overnight and bake them as directed in this recipe. Then, check if they’re still cold in the middle, and add a few more minutes of baking time. As for leftovers, reheat them in the oven at 350°F for 10 to 20 minutes.
Do You Need to Boil Peppers Before Stuffing Them?
Yes, or the stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey can end up tough.
You want to boil the peppers for a few minutes after removing their seeds and core and before stuffing them. Doing so will cook them through with the perfect texture: crunchy-soft. ?
How Do You Keep Stuffed Peppers from Falling Apart?
Keep the goods in your turkey stuffed bell peppers by making sure they stay upright in the baking dish.
Choose firm peppers with flat bottoms or cut off a flat piece underneath the peppers if needed.
You can also just slice the peppers in half from top to bottom!
Besides choosing the “right” peppers, don’t forget to boil them for a few minutes so they’re not overly crunchy when you stuff them. Softer peppers won’t tear as easily!
Finally, cover the baking dish with foil at the start of the baking process to keep the stuffed peppers from drying and overcooking.
How Do You Keep Stuffed Peppers from Getting Soggy?
If your ground turkey stuffed bell peppers turned out watery, it might be from having excess moisture in the meat filling. Don’t be tempted to add extra liquids to the mixture!
It’s also less likely for the turkey stuffed bell peppers to come out soggy if you boil them first than if you bake them in water.
FAQ About Stuffed Bell Peppers
How long do you bake ground turkey stuffed bell peppers?
These stuffed ground turkey bell peppers are baked covered for the first 10 minutes, then baked uncovered for another 15 minutes.
Why do stuffed peppers take so long to cook?
Stuffed bell peppers can take a long time to cook because of their firm, thick walls. This is why it’s best to boil them for a few minutes first to jump-start the cooking process.
How can you tell if ground turkey is cooked?
The best way to tell if your ground turkey is cooked is by checking the internal temperature of the meat. It should reach 165°F for food safety.
Why do my stuffed peppers taste bland?
Since bell peppers are not tasty on their own, you can also season them (the cavities) before stuffing.Â
Do you eat the bell pepper in stuffed bell peppers?
There are no hard and fast rules about eating stuffed bell peppers. Some like to cut the entire thing into pieces and eat the “packaging,” while others just scoop out the filling.
Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers
These turkey stuffed bell peppers are like a delicious and hearty meal in edible bowls. They're easy to make with ground turkey, rice, and melty cheese!
Ingredients
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients to make your stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- Add your cooking oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Saute the onion and garlic.
- Next, add the turkey to the skillet, breaking up the clumps with a spatula as it cooks. Don't forget to season with salt and pepper!
- Fill a saucepan 1/4 full with water and bring it to a boil.
- Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove their seeds and core. The bell peppers should look like cups.
- Boil the bell peppers for about 5 minutes.
- Once the ground turkey is no longer pink, reduce the heat and add the cooked rice to the pan. Stir with a spatula to combine.
- Pour the tomato sauce into the meat filling and season with more salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Place the bell peppers upright in a glass baking dish. Fill the bell peppers with the turkey and rice mixture and top with cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Remove the foil and cook for 15 minutes more.
- Garnish your turkey stuffed bell peppers with chopped parsley. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Select bell peppers of the same size for even cooking. You also want peppers with flat bottoms to keep them from tipping over. Alternatively, simply slice off a flat surface (just a tiny bit!) from the bottom of the peppers if you're having trouble keeping them upright in the baking dish.Â
- We need to cook the meat first for these turkey stuffed bell peppers. Browned ground turkey will add more flavor, and the cooked filling won't easily dry out in the oven.Â
- Want lighter stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey lighter? Opt for quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of white rice. You can also lessen the amount of cheese in the recipe, or if you don't want to cut back on cheese, just use reduced-fat mozzarella cheese!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 1582Total Fat: 101gSaturated Fat: 59gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 33gCholesterol: 354mgSodium: 2818mgCarbohydrates: 62gFiber: 3gSugar: 8gProtein: 105g
* Please note that all nutrition information are just estimates. Values will vary among brands, so we encourage you to calculate these on your own for the most accurate results.
Conclusion
Have an abundance of bell peppers? Make these turkey stuffed bell peppers and try something beyond beef stuffed peppers!
It doesn’t matter if you like red, yellow, or green bell peppers. You can pick any color and it’ll be delicious for our meaty rice filling in rich, aromatic tomato sauce.
Making these stuffed bell peppers with ground turkey and rice is also pretty simple using basic ingredients.
Just boil the peppers before stuffing; you don’t need to worry about getting tough or watery stuffed bell peppers.
Such a useful trick to remember when making the comforting dish! ?
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