Description
These Healthy Stuffed Bell Peppers are a nutrient-dense meal made with lean ground turkey, brown rice, and melty mozzarella, perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground turkey
- 1 (14 1/2 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained slightly
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
- 6 large bell peppers (any color)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 1 can tomato sauce (about 8–15 oz)
- 1 cup cooked brown rice or cauliflower rice
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly oil a baking dish large enough to hold six peppers snugly.
- Warm the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic and sauté until the onion is translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add the ground turkey to the skillet. Cook until no longer pink and starting to brown. Season with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and red pepper flakes if using.
- Stir in the drained diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Mix in the cooked rice (or cauliflower rice) and chopped basil. Simmer gently for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the bell peppers: slice off the tops and remove seeds and membranes. If needed, trim a sliver from the bottom to level them.
- Spoon the turkey mixture into each pepper and arrange them upright in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over each filled pepper. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and the peppers are tender.
- Let the peppers rest for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped basil and serve warm.
Notes
Swap brown rice for quinoa or farro for more texture. For a dairy-free option, use plant-based shredded cheese or omit it and finish with nutritional yeast.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean