Oh, stuffed peppers! When I think about a truly satisfying, yet healthy weeknight dinner, these are *always* the first thing that pops into my head. For the longest time, I used to dread making them because they always felt like such a chore all that chopping and stuffing, and then crossing my fingers they wouldn’t turn into mush. But trust me, after years in my kitchen tinkering and perfecting, I’ve got a Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers recipe that’s a total game changer. It’s just so darn simple and packed with flavor, you’ll wonder why you ever thought they were complicated!
Why You’ll Love These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Seriously, these stuffed peppers are a weeknight superhero! Here’s why you’ll be making them again and again:
- Super Easy: Minimal prep, maximum flavor. You can totally whip these up after a long day.
- Healthy & Delicious: Lean ground turkey and fresh veggies? Yes, please! It’s a meal you can feel good about.
- Crowd-Pleaser: Even picky eaters usually gobble these up. They’re just that good!
- So Versatile: Tweak the spices or add other veggies – they’re a forgiving recipe that lets you play.
Ingredients for Delicious Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Okay, let’s talk about what you’ll need to make these amazing Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers. It’s a pretty straightforward list, and honestly, most of it you probably already have in your pantry!
For the Peppers
You’ll need:
- 4 bell peppers (any color works great – red, yellow, orange, or even green!), with their tops lopped off and the insides all cleaned out (seeds and membranes gone, please!).
For the Filling
This is where all the magic happens. You’ll need:
- 1 pound of ground turkey – I like to use lean, but whatever you have works!
- 1 cup of cooked rice – leftover rice is perfect here; it just needs to be cooked.
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes, and don’t drain them! We want all that juicy goodness.
- 1/2 cup of onion, chopped up nice and fine.
- 2 cloves of garlic, minced – use more if you’re a garlic fiend like me!
- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning (or a mix of basil, oregano, and thyme if you don’t have Italian seasoning).
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt – but taste as you go, you know?
- 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper – just a little kick!
- 1/2 cup of shredded cheese (like cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix) – this is totally optional, but trust me, it’s worth it for that melty topping!
Equipment Needed for Your Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Alright, to whip up these delicious Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers, you won’t need a whole fancy kitchen setup, promise! Just a few trusty tools will do the trick:
- A good old skillet for browning that turkey and sautéing your veggies.
- A sturdy baking dish, something like a 9×13 inch, to hold your beautiful peppers.
- Your trusty knife and cutting board for all that chopping.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Alright, let’s get these delicious Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers into your oven! It’s really quite simple once you see it laid out. Don’t worry, I’m gonna walk you through every little bit of it.
Preparing the Peppers
First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty! Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). Now, take those gorgeous bell peppers you prepped earlier – the ones with the tops off and guts cleaned out – and set them aside. They’re ready for their delicious filling!
Cooking the Ground Turkey Filling
Grab your skillet and put it over medium-high heat. Toss in your pound of ground turkey and break it up as it cooks until it’s nicely browned. We don’t want any pink bits hanging around! Once it’s browned, carefully drain off any extra fat – nobody likes greasy stuffed peppers. Now, right into that same skillet, add your chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté ’em with the turkey until the onion starts to look soft and a little see-through, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Oh, and if you’re a big fan of onion and garlic flavor, you can always add a bit more! It’s your kitchen, after all. You can even check out how I make turkey meatballs for another easy ground turkey idea!
Assembling and Baking Your Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Now for the fun part! To that savory turkey and onion mixture, stir in your cooked rice, the whole can of diced tomatoes (juice and all – that liquid is pure flavor!), your Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good mix until everything is well combined into one glorious, hearty filling. Carefully spoon this mixture into each of your prepared bell pepper halves, packing it in but not mashing it down too hard. Once they’re all stuffed, place them snugly into your baking dish. I like to add about half an inch of water to the bottom of the dish; it helps steam the peppers and keeps them from drying out. Cover the whole dish tightly with foil, like tucking them into bed. Pop them into your preheated oven for about 25 minutes. After that, take off the foil – surprise! – and if you’re using that cheese, sprinkle it all over the tops now. Put them back in uncovered for another 5 to 10 minutes, just until the peppers are tender when you poke them and that cheese is all melty and bubbly. It’s like a little cheesy volcano!
Tips for Perfect Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Alright, so you’ve got the basics down, but let me give you a few of my go-to tricks to make these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers truly knock it out of the park! First off, when you’re picking out your bell peppers, look for ones that are kind of plump and have a nice, sturdy shape. They’ll hold up better in the oven. And while rice is awesome, don’t be afraid to mix things up! Quinoa or even some finely chopped cauliflower rice works beautifully if you’re feeling adventurous. Always taste your filling before you stuff those peppers – that’s how you know if you need a pinch more salt or a dash more Italian seasoning. Remember, a little water in the bottom of the pan really helps steam those peppers so they get nice and tender. These make for such fantastic lean protein meals!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
Let’s chat about a couple of things in this recipe that you might want to switch up! For the rice, feel free to use any cooked grain you like – quinoa is fantastic, or even cauliflower rice if you want to keep it super low-carb. If ground turkey isn’t your jam, ground chicken or even lean ground beef works beautifully here too. Just remember to drain any excess fat, no matter what you choose! These little tweaks can make these healthy recipes your own.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Can I make these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers ahead of time?
Oh boy, yes you can! I actually love doing this. You can totally stuff the peppers and keep them in the baking dish in the fridge for up to a day before you bake them. Just add the cheese right before baking. They’ll take maybe a few extra minutes to bake since they’re starting out cold, but it’s such a lifesaver for busy weeknights!
What other vegetables can I add to the filling?
You can totally jazz up this filling! Finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or even a bit of corn would be delicious additions. Just make sure to sauté them along with the onions and garlic so they soften up nicely. Just remember not to overstuff the peppers, or they might not cook evenly.
What if I don’t have ground turkey?
No worries at all! This recipe is super forgiving. You can easily swap the ground turkey for ground chicken, lean ground beef, or even a plant-based ground meat substitute if you’re looking for a vegetarian option. Just follow the same cooking steps for browning and draining any excess fat!
How do I know if my peppers are tender enough?
The best way to check is with a fork or a small knife. Gently poke into the side of one of the stuffed peppers. If it goes in easily with just a little resistance, they’re perfect! If it’s still tough, just pop them back in the oven, covered, for another 10-15 minutes. We want them tender, not crunchy, right?
Nutritional Information
Just a friendly heads-up, the nutritional info can totally vary depending on the brands you use and if you add that optional cheese. But generally, you’re looking at around 350-400 calories per pepper, with about 30g of protein, 30g of carbs, and 12-15g of fat. It’s a pretty balanced bite! For more info on diet and nutrition, check out more on the site!
Share Your Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers Creation!
I absolutely LOVE seeing your creations! When you make these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers, please, please, please leave a comment below to tell me how they turned out. Did you try any fun substitutions? Let me know if you have any questions! And if you snap a photo, tag me on social media – I’d be thrilled to see your delicious stuffed peppers in all their glory!
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground turkey until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the turkey. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes (undrained), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine.
- Spoon the turkey mixture evenly into the prepared bell pepper halves.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. You can add about 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of the dish to help steam the peppers.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle with cheese if desired, and bake for another 5-10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.