Stuffed Bell Peppers (Speed Version)

Stuffed Bell Peppers (Speed Version)

Traditional stuffed peppers take 45 minutes. This speed version? Fifteen. The secret: microwave the peppers first to soften them while you cook the filling. Ground turkey, rice, tomato sauce, and cheese — same comfort food, fraction of the time.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Microwave trick cuts 30 minutes off the classic recipe
  • Ground turkey filling cooks in 8 minutes
  • All the comfort of the original, none of the wait
  • Great for meal prep — freeze and reheat easily

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Stuffed Bell Peppers (Speed Version)

Prep: 3 mins Cook: 12 mins Total: 15 mins Servings: 4

Ingredients

  • 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 1 lb ground turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Place pepper halves in a microwave-safe dish with 2 tablespoons water. Microwave 4-5 minutes until slightly softened.
  2. While peppers soften, cook ground turkey in a skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up, for 5-6 minutes. Drain fat.
  3. Add rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the turkey. Stir to combine.
  4. Stuff each pepper half with the turkey-rice mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella.
  5. Broil for 3-4 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh basil.

Recipe Tips

  • The microwave pre-cook is the key — raw peppers take forever in the oven.
  • Use any color bell pepper — red and yellow are sweeter, green is more savory.
  • Swap ground turkey for ground beef, chicken, or plant-based crumbles.
  • These freeze beautifully — wrap individually in foil for easy single servings.

Calories: 340 | Protein: 28g | Fat: 14g | Carbs: 24g

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Nutritional information is estimated and may vary.