Amazing 350 Calorie Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

If you’re searching for the ultimate Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers, you’ve landed in exactly the right spot. I’m Daniel, and I started Reciqa because I truly believe that cooking should bring joy, not stress. For me, food has always been about creating warmth and connection—a simple, satisfying meal shared with the people you care about. That’s why I focus on everyday dishes that taste amazing but don’t require you to spend all day in the kitchen. We’ve got everything here, from comforting mains to treats, all designed to be both nourishing and genuinely fun to make.

This recipe for baked peppers stuffed with seasoned ground turkey and rice is one of those weeknight heroes. It’s low on fuss and huge on flavor. When I first started cooking for my own family, I needed meals that were reliable. This one never fails. It’s packed with great spices, and that melted cheese on top? Forget about it. It’s the perfect balance of healthy ingredients and pure comfort food.

Why This Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers Recipe Works For You

You need dinner on the table fast. This recipe delivers. Prep time is quick—only about fifteen minutes of your time. The baking does most of the heavy lifting. It’s a complete meal in one pepper. You get your protein, your grain, and your veggies all together. It’s naturally low in fat, too, so you feel good about serving it. Plus, leftovers are fantastic the next day. This is the definition of an easy dinner solution.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

The beauty of these stuffed peppers is that they rely on pantry staples, but that one spice—cumin—is totally non-negotiable. Trust me, it’s what gives the ground turkey that deep, savory flavor that makes people ask for the recipe immediately. Don’t try to skip prepping the rice first; you need that cooked grain mixed right in with the meat mixture for the right texture.

Essential Components for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Here’s what you need to pull this together. Grab everything before you start cooking, that way you won’t be scrambling mid-recipe!

Ingredient	Quantity/Prep
Bell Peppers	4 medium peppers, any color, halved lengthwise and seeds removed.
Ground Turkey	1 pound, needed for the main filling.
Cumin	1 teaspoon, this is the star spice!
Rice	1 cup, make sure it’s already cooked.
Cheese	½ cup, shredded. Pepper jack or Monterey Jack works great.

Equipment Needed for Perfect Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

You don’t need a ton of fancy gear for this easy dinner, which is another reason I love it so much. You’ll need a good, sturdy skillet for browning the meat. Make sure you have a 9×13 inch baking dish or something similar where your peppers can sit snugly upright. A sharp knife for prepping the peppers is a must, and of course, your measuring spoons!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Okay, let’s get these peppers stuffed! Since we already got our ingredients ready, this part moves really quickly. The key here is building flavor in that turkey mixture before it ever sees the inside of a pepper. Don’t rush the browning step; that builds the foundation for everything.

Preparing the Turkey Filling for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

First things first: heat up that skillet over medium heat. Toss in your pound of ground turkey. You want to break it up really well with a spoon as it cooks. We’re looking for it to be completely browned—no pink spots left anywhere. Once it looks done, drain off any extra fat. That’s important if you’re watching the fat content!

Now for the magic touch: add that teaspoon of cumin right into the hot turkey mixture. Stir it around for just about thirty seconds until you can really smell those warm spices waking up. That little bloom of flavor makes all the difference! Next, fold in your cup of pre-cooked rice. Mix everything together until it’s evenly combined. Turn the heat off; your filling is ready to go.

Assembling and Baking Your Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Take those halved bell peppers you prepared earlier—the ones without the seeds—and arrange them cut-side up in your baking dish. Nestle them in there so they don’t flop over. Now, grab spoonfuls of that spiced turkey and rice mix and pack it generously into each pepper half. Don’t be shy; heap it up nice and high!

Pour just a little bit of water—maybe half an inch—into the bottom of the baking dish around the peppers. This helps steam them gently so they get tender while they bake. Cover the dish tightly with foil. Pop it into your preheated 375°F oven for a solid 30 minutes. This gives the peppers time to soften up nicely.

After those thirty minutes, pull the dish out—careful, it’s hot! Take the foil off and sprinkle that half-cup of cheese evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers. Put it back in the oven, uncovered, for the final five minutes. You just want that cheese melted and bubbly. When it comes out, let it sit for five minutes before serving. That short rest helps everything settle.

Tips for Success Making Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I’ve made this dinner more times than I can count, and I’ve learned a few little tricks that guarantee success, especially when dealing with bell peppers. They can sometimes be a little stubborn and stay crunchy, and nobody wants a crunchy stuffed pepper, right?

Achieving Tender Bell Peppers While Baking

If you really hate that slight bite in the pepper, you can cheat a little bit before you even stuff them. I sometimes take a shortcut: microwave the pepper halves for about two minutes before stuffing them. This gives them a head start on softening up. If you don’t want to microwave, make sure you use enough water in the bottom of the baking dish and keep that foil on tight for the first 30 minutes. That steam is your best friend for getting those peppers perfectly tender, not mushy, but soft enough to cut with a fork.

Flavor Variations for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

While the cumin is the star here, you can absolutely play around with the spices to make this recipe your own. If you like a little heat, swap out half a teaspoon of the cumin for smoked paprika and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper. That gives it a wonderful smoky kick! Instead of just rice, try mixing in a quarter cup of cooked lentils for extra protein and texture—it blends right in. You can also swap that ½ cup of cheese for mozzarella if you want a gooier melt, or even sprinkle some toasted breadcrumbs on top instead of cheese for a nice crunch!

Frequently Asked Questions About Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I get so many questions when people try this recipe for the first time, which just tells me how much everyone loves a good, hearty meal! Most people want to know about substitutions or how fast they can get this on the table. It’s designed to be flexible, but the core elements are what make it special.

Can I use a different grain instead of rice in the Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers?

Oh yes, you absolutely can! While the recipe calls for white rice, feel free to substitute it with cooked quinoa or even lentils if you want to boost the protein or fiber content. Just make sure whatever grain you use is already cooked before adding it to the ground turkey mixture. Quinoa works beautifully because its slightly nutty flavor pairs really nicely with the cumin. If you use lentils, you might want to add a splash more broth or water to the filling just to keep things moist.

How long does it take to make this easy dinner?

This is what makes it such a winner for busy weekdays. You can get the prep done—chopping peppers, cooking the turkey, and mixing—in about fifteen minutes. Then, you just let the oven do the work for thirty-five minutes. So, in under an hour total, you have a delicious, satisfying meal ready to go. It really is the perfect easy dinner when you’re short on time but don’t want takeout!

What is the best way to store leftover Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers?

Leftovers store really well! Just let them cool down completely first. I usually keep them in an airtight container right in the fridge. They stay good for about three or four days. If you’re making a big batch, wrapping individual peppers tightly in plastic wrap before putting them in the container helps keep them from drying out. We’ll talk about reheating them perfectly in the next section, but trust me, they are still delicious the next day!

Storage and Reheating Instructions for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Storing these baked peppers correctly means you get to enjoy that amazing spiced turkey flavor again later! Food safety is super important, so we want to make sure we cool them down quickly after they come out of the oven. Never leave cooked food sitting at room temperature for more than two hours. That’s rule number one in my kitchen. The FDA recommends keeping hot foods above 140°F and cold foods below 40°F.

When you’re ready to store them, the best way is to let the stuffed peppers cool down to room temperature first. Then, you can wrap each pepper half tightly in plastic wrap, or place them all snugly in an airtight container. They hold up really well in the refrigerator for a few days.

Storage Guide for Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

If you know you won’t eat them right away, freezing is a great option, especially since this recipe makes a nice, complete meal in one package. Make sure you skip the cheese topping if you plan to freeze them, as cheese doesn’t always reheat perfectly.

Storage Method	Duration	Best Reheat Method
Refrigerator (Airtight Container)	3 to 4 days	Oven (covered) or Microwave
Freezer (Wrapped Individually)	Up to 2 months	Thaw first, then bake covered

Reheating is easy, but timing is everything to keep that ground turkey moist. If you’re using the oven, place the peppers back into a baking dish, add a tablespoon of water or broth to the bottom, cover them tightly with foil, and bake at 350°F until heated through—usually about 15 to 20 minutes. The foil traps the steam, keeping the peppers soft.

If you’re in a huge rush, the microwave works fine. Just cover the pepper with a damp paper towel before zapping it. Watch it closely so the filling doesn’t dry out. It usually takes about 90 seconds to 2 minutes depending on your microwave power.

Understanding the Nutrition of Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I always try to keep my recipes balanced, and these stuffed peppers really hit the mark for being both satisfying and reasonably healthy. Since we use ground turkey instead of beef and load up on veggies, you get a great protein punch without too much fat. It’s a hearty meal that still fits well into a low-fat eating plan. For more information on the nutritional benefits of lean protein sources like turkey, you can check out resources from organizations like the Mayo Clinic.

Keep in mind these numbers are estimates, especially since cheese amounts can vary, but this gives you a fantastic baseline for what you’re eating. It’s good to know what’s fueling you!

Nutrient	Amount (per serving)
Calories	350
Protein	30g
Fat	15g
Carbohydrates	25g
Fiber	3g

Share Your Experience Making Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers

I truly hope you loved making this simple, flavorful dish as much as I do. Once you try these Spiced Turkey Stuffed Peppers, I want to hear all about it! Did you try my tip about adding a little cayenne? Leave me a rating below and tell me how this easy dinner fit into your week. Happy cooking!

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