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Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.2 from 10 reviews

These ground turkey stuffed peppers are a comforting and healthy main course featuring a flavorful mixture of ground turkey, tender rice, and Italian seasonings, all baked inside colorful bell peppers and topped with melty mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Perfect for make-ahead meals and freezer-friendly dinners, this recipe combines simple ingredients into a cozy dish that warms the soul.

  • Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
  • Yield: 6 stuffed pepper halves

Ingredients

Filling Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil (plus extra for cooking)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • 1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juices
  • 1 ½ cups cooked long grain rice
  • ⅓ cup chopped fresh Italian parsley, plus more for garnish
  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for mixing in filling)

Peppers and Topping

  • 3 large bell peppers (assorted colors), halved and seeded
  • Olive oil for drizzling inside peppers
  • Salt and pepper, to season peppers
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (for topping)
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (for topping)
  • Water (about ⅓ cup for the baking dish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
  2. Cook Ground Turkey: Heat about 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and cook until fully browned, breaking it up with a spatula or wooden spoon. Push the cooked turkey to one side of the skillet.
  3. Sauté Aromatics: Drizzle a little more olive oil in the empty space of the skillet and add the diced onions and minced garlic. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, then mix the onions and garlic back into the cooked ground turkey.
  4. Add Seasonings and Ingredients: Stir in the dried Italian seasoning, canned diced tomatoes with their juices, cooked rice, salt, and pepper. Mix everything evenly. Then fold in ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley and ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese. Remove the filling from heat and set aside.
  5. Prepare Peppers: Cut each bell pepper in half lengthwise and remove seeds and stems. Drizzle the inside of each pepper half with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. To help the peppers stand upright, slice a thin piece off the bottom of each half.
  6. Fill Peppers and Arrange: Evenly spoon the turkey and rice filling into each pepper half. Arrange the stuffed peppers filling-side up in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Pour about ⅓ cup water into the bottom of the dish to help steam and tenderize the peppers while baking. Cover tightly with aluminum foil.
  7. Bake Covered: Bake the peppers covered for 30 to 35 minutes or until the peppers become tender.
  8. Add Cheese Topping: Remove the foil and sprinkle remaining 1 cup shredded mozzarella and ¼ cup parmesan cheese evenly on top of the peppers.
  9. Bake Uncovered: Return the baking dish to the oven uncovered and bake for another 10-12 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  10. Broil for Browning: Turn the oven to broil and broil the peppers for 1-2 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
  11. Garnish and Serve: Remove from oven, garnish with additional chopped Italian parsley, and serve the stuffed peppers immediately while hot and melty. Enjoy your comforting meal!

Notes

  • Use cooked long grain rice, white or brown, prepared ahead of time or leftover rice works well.
  • Cutting a thin slice off the bottom of each pepper half helps them stand upright in the baking dish.
  • Adding water to the baking dish creates steam during baking, making peppers tender.
  • This recipe is freezer-friendly: assemble peppers, freeze before baking, then bake when ready.
  • You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean ground beef if desired.
  • For a spicier twist, add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the filling.
  • Author: Daisy
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 45 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Fat

Find it online: https://dishiary.com/ground-turkey-stuffed-peppers-recipe/