Ground Turkey Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers with Mozzarella

Prep: 15 minCook: 40 min6 servingsmediumAmerican
Ground Turkey Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers with Mozzarella

These hearty stuffed bell peppers feature a savory filling of seasoned ground turkey, white rice, and crushed tomatoes, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. The Italian seasoning blend adds classic Mediterranean flavors while the turkey provides lean protein. Perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner that the whole family will enjoy. Each pepper becomes a complete meal in itself, making portion control easy and presentation impressive.

Ingredients

6 servings
  • 6 bell peppers
    poblano peppers1:1heat

    Adds mild heat and smokiness

    Full guide →
  • 2 cups white rice, dry
    brown rice1:1nutrition

    Nuttier flavor, increase cooking time

    Full guide →
  • 1 pound ground turkey
    ground beef1:1

    Similar flavor and texture

    Full guide →
  • 16 oz crushed tomatoes
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
    poblano peppers1:1heat

    Adds mild heat and smokiness

    Full guide →
  • 2 cups Mozzarella cheese, shredded
    cheddar cheese1:1

    Sharper flavor profile

    Full guide →

Instructions

  1. 1

    Prepare rice according to package directions and set aside

  2. 2

    Preheat oven and prepare baking dish with cooking spray

  3. 3

    Cook and crumble ground turkey in a skillet

  4. 4

    Add crushed tomatoes and all seasonings to skillet and simmer for 5-8 minutes on low

  5. 5

    Mix in prepared rice until well combined

  6. 6

    Cut bell peppers and place in baking dish

  7. 7

    Spoon turkey and rice mixture into each pepper and top with shredded cheese

  8. 8

    Bake until peppers are tender and cheese is melted

Tips

Tip 1

Choose bell peppers that can stand upright and have flat bottoms for even cooking and easy filling

Tip 2

Add more seasoning to taste after simmering to customize the flavor profile to your preference

Tip 3

Allow filling to cool slightly before stuffing peppers to prevent cheese from melting prematurely

Good to Know

Storage

Refrigerate leftovers for up to 3 days in airtight containers

Make Ahead

Assemble stuffed peppers up to 1 day ahead and refrigerate before baking

Serve With

Serve hot directly from the oven as a complete meal

Common Mistakes

Watch

Cut peppers too thin to avoid collapse during baking

Watch

Don't overfill peppers to prevent spillage in oven

Substitutions

ground turkey
ground beef1:1

Similar flavor and texture

Full guide →
mozzarella cheese
cheddar cheese1:1

Sharper flavor profile

Full guide →
white rice
brown rice1:1nutrition

Nuttier flavor, increase cooking time

Full guide →
bell peppers
poblano peppers1:1heat

Adds mild heat and smokiness

Full guide →
Find more substitutions →

FAQ

Can I freeze these stuffed peppers?

Yes, freeze assembled unbaked peppers for up to 3 months or baked peppers for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before baking or reheating.

What if my peppers tip over during baking?

Slice a thin piece off the bottom to create a flat base, or nestle peppers together in the baking dish for support.

How do I know when the peppers are done?

Peppers should be tender when pierced with a fork and cheese should be melted and lightly golden after 34-40 minutes.