Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers (Healthy, Easy Dinner Recipe)
Course: American, Healthy Dinner Recipes4
servings15
minutes40
minutes320
kcalIngredients
4–5 large bell peppers (any color)
1 pound ground turkey
1 small onion, finely chopped
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked rice or cauliflower rice (depending on the mood)
Olive oil
Salt and black pepper
Paprika and Italian seasoning
Optional: shredded cheese for topping
Directions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold all the peppers upright.
- Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds and membranes. Rinse them quickly and place them open-side up in the baking dish. If a pepper won’t stand, trim a tiny slice off the bottom to steady it.
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a drizzle of olive oil. Once warm, add the chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until soft and slightly translucent.
- Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant
- Brown the ground turkey in the skillet, breaking it up as it cooks. Season with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. Cook until the turkey is no longer pink
- Stir in the tomatoes and cooked rice (or cauliflower rice, if using). Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes so the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Stir in the tomatoes and cooked rice (or cauliflower rice, if using). Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes so the flavors come together. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the peppers to soften.
- Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes, allowing the peppers to soften.
- Remove the foil, add cheese if using, and return to the oven for another 10–15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the tops are lightly golden.
Notes
- Don’t overcook the peppers — tender, not mushy, is the goal
- If your peppers are large, bake a little longer
- If your peppers are large, bake a little longer
- These freeze well without cheese
- These freeze well without cheese
There are nights when I want dinner to feel comforting but not heavy. Something warm from the oven, something that smells like I actually tried — without spending my entire evening cooking. That’s exactly where these ground turkey stuffed peppers come in.
I’ve been making versions of turkey stuffed peppers for years, tweaking them depending on what’s in the fridge, how busy the week is, and whether I’m trying to eat a little lighter. This version is one I keep coming back to because it checks all the boxes: filling, simple, healthy, and flexible enough to work for weeknights or meal prep.
If you’ve never made stuffed peppers with ground turkey, don’t worry. This isn’t complicated food. It’s the kind of dinner that feels wholesome and practical — the kind you make once and then keep in your rotation.
Why Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers Work So Well
What I love most about this ground turkey bell pepper recipe is how balanced it is. You’ve got lean protein, vegetables, and just enough comfort to make it feel like a real meal.
These healthy turkey stuffed peppers are:
- High in protein without being heavy
- Naturally gluten-free
- Easy to adjust for low-carb or keto eating
- Great for leftovers and meal prep
- Kid-friendly without feeling bland
And honestly? They reheat beautifully, which matters more than we admit.
How to Make Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers (Step by Step)
Step 1: Prep the Peppers
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. I like to give them a quick rinse and set them upright in a baking dish. If they wobble, slice a tiny bit off the bottom — just enough to steady them.
Step 2: Cook the Turkey Filling
Heat a little olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook until soft, then add garlic. Once it smells good, add the ground turkey.
Break it up as it cooks, seasoning with salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning. When the turkey is no longer pink, stir in the tomatoes and cooked rice (or cauliflower rice).
This mixture is the heart of your easy ground turkey stuffed peppers, so taste it. Adjust seasoning now — it makes all the difference.
Step 3: Stuff and Bake
Spoon the turkey mixture into each pepper, packing it gently. If you’re making cheesy ground turkey stuffed peppers, sprinkle cheese over the top.
Cover loosely with foil and bake at 375°F for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until the peppers are tender.
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What Makes These Healthy Without Feeling Like “Diet Food”
These healthy ground turkey stuffed peppers are filling because they’re balanced, not because they’re low in everything. Lean turkey keeps them high-protein, and the peppers add natural sweetness and fiber.
If you’re watching calories, these can easily be low calorie ground turkey stuffed peppers by:
- Using cauliflower rice
- Skipping cheese or using a small amount
- Choosing extra-lean ground turkey
If you’re focused on carbs, they naturally work as low carb ground turkey stuffed peppers or keto ground turkey stuffed peppers when you skip rice entirely.
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Variations I Actually Make
This is where these peppers shine. I rarely make them exactly the same way twice.
Mediterranean Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Add olives, a little oregano, and fresh parsley. Skip the cheese or use a bit of feta.
Mexican Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Season with cumin and chili powder. Add black beans (if not low-carb) and top with a little shredded cheese.
Dairy-Free Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Skip the cheese completely and finish with fresh herbs and olive oil. Still delicious.
These variations keep weeknight ground turkey stuffed peppers from ever feeling boring.
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers for Meal Prep
I make these almost every Sunday when I want lunches ready without thinking about it.
They store well in airtight containers for up to four days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven. That makes them perfect ground turkey stuffed peppers meal prep food, especially if you’re trying to eat better during busy weeks.
They’re also great ground turkey stuffed peppers for weight loss because they’re satisfying without being calorie-dense.
FAQs About Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Can I make these in the oven only?
Yes. This is a true ground turkey stuffed peppers oven recipe. Just sauté the filling first for flavor.
Are these gluten-free?
Yes, naturally. Just double-check your seasonings and tomato sauce.
Do they work without rice?
Absolutely. Ground turkey stuffed peppers without rice are one of my favorite versions.
Are these high in protein?
Very. They’re excellent high protein stuffed peppers turkey dinners.
Why I Keep Coming Back to This Recipe
At this stage of life, I don’t want complicated dinners. I want food that feels nourishing, something I can serve to my family without second-guessing it.
These stuffed peppers with ground turkey feel like that sweet spot — real food, real flavor, no fuss. Whether I’m making them for a quiet night at home or packing them up for the week, they never let me down.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a dinner that’s reliable, healthy, and endlessly adaptable, these ground turkey stuffed peppers are it. They’re one of those recipes that quietly becomes a staple — the kind you don’t even need to look up after a while.
