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Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.3 from 54 reviews

  • Author: Patricia
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 stuffed pepper halves (serves 8)
  • Diet: Low Fat

Description

These Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers are a quick, flavorful, and wholesome dinner option perfect for busy weeknights. Featuring lean ground turkey cooked with onions, garlic, zucchini, and marinara sauce, all baked inside tender bell pepper halves and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This recipe yields a satisfying meal packed with protein and veggies, ready in just under an hour.

Ingredients

Peppers

  • 4 medium bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), halved and seeded

Filling

  • 1 lb lean ground turkey (or ground chicken)
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 small zucchini, diced
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 ½ cups marinara sauce, divided
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • Salt, to taste

Topping

  • ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar cheese)

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Spread ½ cup of marinara sauce evenly over the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking and add flavor.
  2. Prepare the Peppers: Cut the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds and membranes. To soften slightly, microwave for 2 minutes or bake for a few minutes until just tender. Set aside.
  3. Cook the Filling: In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté the diced onion and minced garlic until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the ground turkey, season with salt, and cook until no longer pink, breaking it up with a spatula as it cooks. Stir in diced zucchini and cook for an additional 4 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
  4. Add Sauce & Seasoning: Stir in 2 cups of marinara sauce and Italian seasoning to the skillet. Adjust salt if necessary. Let the mixture simmer gently for 5-7 minutes so the flavors meld together while thickening slightly.
  5. Assemble the Peppers: Arrange the pepper halves upright in the baking dish over the marinara sauce base. Fill each pepper half evenly with about ½ cup of the turkey mixture, pressing down gently to pack.
  6. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 25 minutes to let the peppers cook through and the flavors combine well.
  7. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers, and return to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden.
  8. Serve: Serve the stuffed peppers hot, optionally garnished with fresh parsley, a dollop of Greek yogurt, or a drizzle of hot sauce for extra flavor and presentation.

Notes

  • Depending on the size of your peppers, you may need 4 or 5 peppers. Larger peppers will yield fewer halves (about 3 peppers needed).
  • If you have leftover turkey mixture, cook it separately and serve over zucchini noodles or rice for a quick meal.
  • To lighten the dish further, use part-skim mozzarella cheese or reduce the cheese topping as preferred.
  • Feel free to swap ground turkey with lean ground chicken or ground beef based on dietary preference.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Find it online: https://patriciarecipes.com/ground-turkey-stuffed-peppers-recipe/