Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey, Rice, and Melted Mozzarella Recipe

ByLuna Ryder
Jump to Recipe

Introduction

These stuffed peppers are a colorful and delicious way to enjoy a comforting meal. Filled with seasoned ground turkey, rice, and savory tomato sauce, they make a satisfying dinner that’s easy to prepare. Perfect for a family meal or meal prep, these peppers bring both flavor and nutrition to your table.

A single yellow bell pepper cut in half and placed upright on a large white plate, filled with a mixture of cooked ingredients that is covered by a layer of melted golden-brown cheese on top; the pepper's green stem is visible beneath the cheesy layer, and the plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 4 assorted color bell peppers
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 chicken bouillon cube
  • 1 onion
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 1/2 cup white rice
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 8 ounces tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/2 cubanelle pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon fresh oregano
  • Ground black pepper, to taste
  • Mozzarella cheese, to taste

Instructions

  1. Step 1: In a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Cook the chopped onion and cubanelle pepper until translucent, about 2 minutes.
  2. Step 2: Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil. Add the whole bell peppers and cook for 5 minutes to soften them slightly. Remove and drain.
  3. Step 3: Add minced garlic and ground turkey to the skillet. Cook, stirring frequently, for 5 to 7 minutes until the turkey is browned.
  4. Step 4: Crumble in the chicken bouillon cube, then stir in fresh oregano and dried basil. Add tomato paste and season with ground black pepper to taste. Mix well.
  5. Step 5: Stir in the cooked white rice and tomato sauce. Combine thoroughly to create the filling.
  6. Step 6: Spoon the turkey and rice mixture into each bell pepper cavity. Top each filled pepper with mozzarella cheese according to your preference. Place the peppers upright in an oven-safe dish.
  7. Step 7: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15 to 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  8. Step 8: Remove from the oven, serve warm, and enjoy your delicious stuffed peppers!

Tips & Variations

  • For extra flavor, add chopped fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro to the filling.
  • Substitute ground turkey with ground beef or chicken for a different taste.
  • Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber, but cook it beforehand as it takes longer.
  • Try topping the peppers with cheddar or feta cheese instead of mozzarella for variety.
  • If you prefer spicier peppers, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling mixture.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (180°C) until warmed through, or microwave on medium power to avoid drying out. For longer storage, freeze the stuffed peppers without cheese topping for up to 2 months; add fresh cheese when reheating.

How to Serve

A single stuffed yellow bell pepper is placed in the center of a large white plate. The pepper is hollowed out and filled with a mixture that includes visible pieces of green and orange ingredients, likely vegetables or sauce layers. The top layer is covered with melted cheese that is slightly browned, giving it a golden, bubbly texture. The white plate sits on a surface with a white marbled texture, and the lighting highlights the glistening cheese and the smooth, bright yellow surface of the pepper. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers and keep them refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This makes it easy to prepare in advance and bake when ready to serve.

Do I need to precook the rice before adding it to the filling?

Yes, the white rice should be cooked prior to mixing with the other ingredients to ensure even cooking and proper texture inside the stuffed peppers.

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Turkey, Rice, and Melted Mozzarella Recipe

★★★★★

4.8 from 140 reviews
  • Author: Luna
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
Print Recipe

Description

This Stuffed Peppers recipe features colorful bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, rice, aromatic herbs, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. Perfectly baked to tender perfection, this dish is a wholesome and comforting meal packed with flavorful ingredients and protein.

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Protein

  • 1 pound Ground Turkey
  • Mozzarella Cheese, to taste

Vegetables

  • 4 Assorted Color Bell Peppers
  • 1 Onion
  • 1/2 Cubanelle Pepper
  • 3 cloves Garlic

Grains

  • 1/2 cup White Rice

Seasonings and Sauces

  • 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
  • 1 Chicken Bouillon Cube
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dried Basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon Fresh Oregano
  • 8 ounces Tomato Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
  • Ground Black Pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, add the olive oil. Cook the chopped onion and diced Cubanelle pepper until they turn translucent, approximately 2 minutes, to release their flavors.
  2. Pre-Soften Peppers: Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and blanch the whole assorted color bell peppers for 5 minutes to soften them slightly, making them easier to stuff and cook evenly.
  3. Cook Turkey and Garlic: Add minced garlic cloves to the skillet, followed by the ground turkey. Stir frequently and cook for 5-7 minutes until the turkey is browned and fully cooked through.
  4. Season Filling: Crumble the chicken bouillon cube into the skillet along with dried basil and fresh oregano. Stir in tomato paste and season with ground black pepper to taste, mixing well to combine all the aromatic ingredients.
  5. Add Rice and Sauce: Stir in the cooked white rice to the turkey mixture, then pour in the tomato sauce. Mix thoroughly to create a cohesive and flavorful filling.
  6. Stuff Peppers: Spoon the prepared turkey and rice filling evenly into each softened bell pepper. Top each stuffed pepper with mozzarella cheese to add a creamy, melty finish.
  7. Bake: Arrange the stuffed peppers in an oven-safe dish and bake at 350°F (180°C) for 15 to 20 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
  8. Serve: Remove from oven and serve warm. Enjoy the comforting and delicious stuffed peppers as a wholesome main dish.

Notes

  • Blanching the peppers makes them tender and easier to eat but avoid overcooking to maintain their shape.
  • To make this recipe vegetarian, replace ground turkey with cooked lentils or a plant-based protein and use vegetable broth cube instead of chicken bouillon.
  • Use freshly cooked rice instead of leftover rice for best texture.
  • Mozzarella cheese topping is optional but adds great flavor and a melty texture.
  • Customize the filling by adding other vegetables like chopped mushrooms or spinach for extra nutrients.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Stuffed Peppers, Ground Turkey, Bell Peppers, Baked Peppers, Healthy Dinner, Comfort Food

Did you make this recipe?

Share a photo and tag us — we can’t wait to see what you’ve made!

Avatar photo

Similar Posts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆