Cheesy Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Turkey and Rice Recipe
These delicious stuffed bell peppers are filled with a flavorful mixture of lean ground turkey, fire-roasted tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and brown rice, topped with melted cheddar cheese and baked to perfection. A wholesome, satisfying meal that’s perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 5 stuffed peppers (serves 4-5) 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 5 bell peppers (any color)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, for garnish)
Protein & Dairy
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pantry & Spices
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 1 14.5-ounce can fire-roasted tomatoes (or diced tomatoes)
- 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
Instructions
- Prepare peppers: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Wash the bell peppers, cut off the tops, and remove the seeds and membranes carefully to create hollow shells for stuffing. Blanche the peppers by boiling them in a pot of water for 5 minutes to soften slightly, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for about 5 minutes until softened and translucent. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Cook filling: Add the lean ground turkey to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, stir in the fire-roasted tomatoes, dried oregano, dried thyme, dried basil, chili powder, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and cooked brown rice. Allow this mixture to simmer gently for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld together.
- Stuff peppers: Spoon the savory turkey and rice mixture evenly into the prepared bell pepper shells. Place a generous topping of shredded cheddar cheese on each stuffed pepper.
- Bake: Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly. Remove from the oven.
- Garnish and serve: Optionally, sprinkle chopped fresh cilantro over the baked peppers for added freshness and flavor. Serve warm for a hearty and delicious meal.
Notes
- Blanching the peppers prevents them from becoming too tough during baking while still holding their shape.
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef based on your preference.
- Fire-roasted tomatoes add a smoky depth; if unavailable, regular diced tomatoes are fine.
- Cooking brown rice in advance saves time during preparation.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the turkey and use cooked lentils or beans instead.
- Adjust spices according to taste for more or less heat.
Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground turkey, healthy dinner, baked peppers, stuffed bell peppers, easy meal, lean protein, brown rice, fire roasted tomatoes
