Okay, so you’re looking for a dinner that’s actually, you know, *good* for you AND doesn’t take all night to make? YES, please! That’s where my absolute favorite Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers come in. Seriously, these are a weeknight savior in my house. They’re packed with flavor, totally customizable, and that colorful presentation? Chef’s kiss!
My mom used to make these for us when I was a kid, and honestly, they were always my go-to request for birthdays. It’s just something about those tender peppers hugging a savory, seasoned filling. It feels like a hug in a pepper!
Why You’ll Love These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Trust me, these aren’t your grandma’s bland stuffed peppers (though I love grandmas!). These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are a total winner for so many reasons:
- Super Easy to Make: Seriously, a handful of simple ingredients and minimal fuss. Perfect for those busy weeknights!
- Packed with Flavor: The seasoned turkey, tender peppers, and juicy tomatoes create a taste explosion.
- Healthy & Hearty: Lean ground turkey and loads of veggies make this a meal you can feel great about digging into.
- Totally Customizable: Don’t like onions? Add more garlic! Want to mix in some corn? Go for it! These are your peppers!
Ingredients for Perfect Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Okay, so when I whip up these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers, I try to keep things super straightforward. Because, honestly, the best meals use simple, good stuff! You’ll need:
Here’s what goes into my favorite version:
- Bell Peppers: 4 large ones. I usually grab a mix of colors – red, yellow, orange – they’re a bit sweeter than green, and just so pretty!
- Olive Oil: Just 1 tablespoon to get things started.
- Ground Turkey: 1 pound. I always go for lean, but whatever you have works!
- Onion: 1 small one, finely chopped. Make sure it’s nice and small so it cooks down well.
- Garlic: 2 cloves, minced. Because, duh, garlic.
- Diced Tomatoes: One 15-ounce can, and don’t drain it! All that juice is flavor!
- Cooked Rice: 1 cup. Leftover rice from dinner? Perfect!
- Seasonings: 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper. These are my go-tos.
- Shredded Cheese: ½ cup, if you’re feeling fancy! Cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend are all awesome.
How to Make Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers: Step-by-Step
Alright, let’s get these amazing Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers made! It sounds fancy, but trust me, it’s totally doable. We’ll just take it one yummy step at a time.
Preparing the Peppers for Stuffing
First things first, we gotta get our pepper bases ready! Grab those beautiful bell peppers and carefully slice off the tops. Think of it like giving them little hats. Then, just scoop out all the seeds and those white membranes inside. You don’t want those bitter bits ruining our perfect filling! A quick rinse inside and out, and they’re ready for their delicious destiny.
Cooking the Ground Turkey Filling
Now for the heart of our stuffed peppers! Grab a big skillet and heat up that olive oil over medium heat. Toss in your ground turkey and get to breaking it up with your spoon – gotta get every piece nice and browned. Once it looks good, drain off any extra grease, nobody wants greasy peppers! Now, throw in your chopped onion and minced garlic. Let ’em soften up for about 5 minutes until they smell amazing. This part is crucial for flavor! If you need a quick refresher on how to get that onion perfectly chopped, check out this helpful guide.
Assembling and Baking Your Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Okay, this is where the magic really happens! To that savory turkey mixture, stir in the can of diced tomatoes (juice and all!), your cooked rice, oregano, salt, and that pinch of pepper. Give it a good stir and let it simmer for about 5 minutes to let those flavors get friendly. Now, spoon that glorious filling right into your prepared pepper halves. Don’t be shy, fill ’em up! Arrange them snugly in a baking dish and pour about half an inch of water into the bottom of the dish – this helps them steam and get super tender. Cover the dish tightly with foil and pop it into your preheated oven (375°F, remember!) for a solid 45 minutes. Then, take off the foil and let them bake for another 10-15 minutes to get that gorgeous, slightly blistered look and melt that cheese if you’re adding it!
Tips for the Best Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Making Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers perfect every single time is totally achievable with a few little tricks I’ve picked up over the years. You know, the kind of stuff that makes a good meal *great*! First, don’t skimp on preheating your oven. A nice hot oven is key to getting those peppers tender without getting mushy. Also, that little bit of water in the bottom of the baking dish? Crucial! It creates steam, which helps cook everything evenly and keeps the peppers moist. And if your peppers are a little wobbly, just tuck a little piece of foil under them to keep them upright. Oh, and taste your filling before stuffing! You can always adjust the salt and pepper then, but you can’t easily fix it once it’s inside the pepper.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
So, about these Groun d Turkey Stuffed Peppers – there are a few little ingredient details that really make a difference! My go-to is always lean ground turkey because it’s lighter, but honestly? Ground chicken works just as beautifully. If you’re not a fan of turkey, or maybe just want to switch things up, that’s totally okay. And those onions and garlic? They’re flavor powerhouses, but if you’re really not a fan, a teaspoon of onion powder and ½ teaspoon of garlic powder can work in a pinch. Just remember, fresh is usually best when you can swing it!
Serving Suggestions for Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are practically a meal in themselves, but who doesn’t love a great sidekick? I always find they’re fantastic served alongside a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette. Sometimes, a dollop of sour cream or a drizzle of your favorite hot sauce on top is just what they need. Pure perfection!
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Got Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers leftovers? Lucky you! Just let them cool down a bit, then pop them into an airtight container. They’ll keep nicely in the fridge for about 3-4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just pop them into the microwave or a medium oven (around 350°F or 175°C) for about 15-20 minutes until they’re heated all the way through. They taste just as good the second time around, trust me!
Frequently Asked Questions About Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Got questions about whipping up these tasty Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers? I’ve got answers! Here are a few things people often ask:
Can I make Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can totally make these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers ahead of time. Prep the filling and stuff the peppers, but don’t bake them yet. Cover them tightly and pop them in the fridge for up to a day. Just bake a little longer when you’re ready to serve!
What kind of rice is best for stuffed peppers?
You know, any cooked rice works pretty well in these Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers! I often use plain white rice because it’s fluffy and neutral. But leftover brown rice works great too if you prefer something heartier. Just make sure it’s cooked before you mix it into the filling!
How do I prevent my stuffed peppers from being watery?
That’s a great question! To keep your Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers from getting watery, make sure to drain any excess fat from the turkey really well. Also, don’t add any extra liquid to the filling. The tomatoes provide plenty of moisture as they bake!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just so you know, the numbers can wiggle a bit depending on exactly what goes in, but my Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers usually land around 350 calories per serving. You’re looking at about 15g of fat, 25g of protein, and 30g of carbs, with a good 5g of fiber to keep you full. Remember, this is just an estimate – you can always track your own with a tool like MyFitnessPal if you want the exact breakdown!
Print
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
- Total Time: 1 hour 20 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
Bell peppers filled with seasoned ground turkey and baked until tender.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground turkey
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground turkey and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Spoon the turkey mixture evenly into the prepared bell peppers.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. Add about 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of the dish.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted (if using).
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef or chicken for the ground turkey.
- Add other vegetables like corn or peas to the filling for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Serve with a side salad for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 80mg
Keywords: Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers, stuffed peppers, ground turkey recipe, easy dinner, healthy meal
