Stuffed Cheese Bell Peppers (Print)

Bell peppers filled with turkey, cheese, and vegetables for a satisfying, nutritious main dish.

# Components:

→ Produce

01 - 4 large bell peppers, tops removed and seeded
02 - 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
04 - 1 medium tomato, diced

→ Protein

05 - 1 lb ground turkey

→ Grains (Optional)

06 - 1/2 cup cooked rice or quinoa

→ Dairy

07 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
08 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp black pepper

→ Oils

14 - 2 tbsp olive oil

# Method:

01 - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the bell peppers by carefully slicing off their tops and removing the seeds and membranes. Arrange the hollowed peppers in an upright position within a lightly greased baking dish.
02 - Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped yellow onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it begins to soften.
03 - Incorporate the minced garlic into the skillet and cook for approximately 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the ground turkey, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook until thoroughly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
04 - Stir in the diced tomato, cooked rice or quinoa (if using), dried oregano, dried basil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue to cook for another 2-3 minutes, ensuring the mixture is well combined and heated through.
05 - Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/4 cup of the grated Parmesan cheese until just combined.
06 - Evenly spoon the prepared turkey mixture into each of the bell peppers. Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan cheese.
07 - Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden brown and the peppers are tender.
08 - Allow the stuffed peppers to rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Fast prep and hands-off bake time means dinner is on the table in about an hour
  • Big on protein and veggies so it is nutritious and filling
  • Customizable with your favorite grains or totally grain free
  • Family friendly and great for meal prep or leftovers
02 -
  • Packed with protein and veggies for a balanced meal
  • Adaptable for gluten free or low carb diets
  • Leftovers taste even better the next day
03 -
  • Do not rush sautéing the onions Go slow for that sweet flavor base
  • Use a big sturdy spoon to pack the filling into the peppers This makes sure each bite is satisfying
  • If your peppers are uneven on the bottom slice a thin layer off so they stand upright Every little stability trick helps when baking

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