Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers

Name: Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 50 min
Yield: 5 servings.
Ingredients: 5 medium green, red or yellow peppers; 2 teaspoons olive oil; 1-1/4 pounds extra-lean ground turkey; 1 large onion, chopped; 1 garlic clove, minced; 2 teaspoons ground cumin; 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped; 1-3/4 cups shredded cheddar-flavored lactose-free or other cheese; 1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs; 1/4 teaspoon paprika

This well-seasoned entree is so tasty, you won’t even miss having real cheddar cheese. Round out the meal with a salad or a side of rice. Thanks to Judy Hand-Truitt from Birmingham, Alabama for sharing the recipe.

Ingredients

5 medium green, red or yellow peppers
2 teaspoons olive oil
1-1/4 pounds extra-lean ground turkey
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 medium tomatoes, finely chopped
1-3/4 cups shredded cheddar-flavored lactose-free or other cheese
1-1/2 cups soft bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon paprika

Directions

Preheat oven to 325°. Cut peppers lengthwise in half; remove seeds. Place in a 15x10x1-in. pan coated with cooking spray.
In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook and crumble turkey with onion, garlic and seasonings over medium-high heat until meat is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes. Cool slightly. Stir in tomatoes, cheese and bread crumbs.
Fill with turkey mixture. Sprinkle with paprika. Bake, uncovered, until heated through and peppers are tender, 20-25 minutes.

Editor’s Notes: To make soft bread crumbs, tear bread into pieces and place in a food processor or blender. Cover and pulse until crumbs form. One slice of bread yields 1/2 to 3/4 cup crumbs. Some breads are made with milk and butter or margarine. For a lactose-free recipe, check the label or ask your baker.

Nutrition Facts

2 stuffed pepper halves: 323 calories, 10g fat (0 saturated fat), 45mg cholesterol, 771mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 40g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 5 lean meat, 2 vegetable, 1 starch, 1/2 fat.

Originally published as Turkey-Stuffed Bell Peppers in Healthy Cooking June/July 2008

Reviews

My Review

Click stars to rate

Average Rating:

robbrd

Jun 15, 2018

A fairly simple meal to throw together. Everyone seemed to enjoy the meat mixture. I had varying opinions on the pepper hearing "It was good" or "I would have like the pepper a little softer". They all ate it and there weren't any scraps thrown in the trash so I'd say a winner.
Krystin

Feb 2, 2018

This is a delicious recipe which I've now made quite a few times. My husband loves it, especially with the paprika on top. The only thing I've really changed is instead of using Italian seasoning, I use Italian style breadcrumbs. I also use roasted garlic seasoning rather than minced garlic. It's an easy recipe and lasts us for a few meals which is perfect in a busy household!
Karina

Sep 16, 2017

I used quinoa instead of bread crumbs since that is what I had. I also cooked the quinoa with low fat/low sodium chicken broth and used whatever was left of the broth in the turkey mixture. Wasn't dry and was flavorful.
goodcookusa

Apr 14, 2016

I have made this dish more than once and loved it ! I used more tomatoes and also added a new ingredient-a carrot-finely grated. Some of it added raw to meat and some-sauteed with onion. I omitted cheese. Great and good for you ! I do not like rice, so this is a great alternative for me and my family. the Best.
justmbeth

Sep 29, 2014

Peppers had a good flavor. I found the filling a bit dry, as often is the case with ground turkey. I used fresh tomatoes. Next time I may try canned tomatoes and use the excess juice to add some moisture. I only used 1 lb of turkey and 4 peppers, adjusting the remaining ingredients. Also used regular cheese :)
LisaLozosky

Sep 21, 2014

I confess that I also used real cheese, and also substituted a can of diced tomatoes instead of fresh. I will also confess that I don't usually like stuffed bell peppers, but my husband requested them. This recipe has totally changed my opinion! These peppers were absolutely delicious! Perfectly seasoned, nice and filling . . . I'll be making them again!
KitchenGenie1

Feb 13, 2013

My first time making AND eating stuffed bell peppers...my dinner guest said that they were the best she'd ever had!
MikePerez

Jan 9, 2013

Turkey tends to be bland and the recipe did a good job of bringing some of it out.The next time I try this, I will use goat cheese, and lots of it. I tried that on a turkey meatloaf, and it was great.
Kimberly Hines

Oct 9, 2011

Yeah, I used real cheese. Sorry healthy people!
Bellykaker

Sep 21, 2011

We love this stuffed pepper recipe! We found it in the Healthy Cooking magazine a few years ago, and we make them all the time. Our 2 year old son even really likes them. I highly recommend them!