How to Make the Perfect Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Bell Peppers
American · Medium · 43 min · 4 servings
These colorful bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of lean ground turkey, fresh spinach, and herbs then baked until perfectly tender for a hearty low-carb dinner. It is a visually appealing and nutritionally balanced dish that keeps carbohydrates well under control for diabetics.
Why this recipe works
This Turkey and Spinach Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 43 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 310 calories with 32g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 large bell peppers any color tops cut off and seeded
- 1 pound lean ground turkey 93 percent
- 2 cups fresh baby spinach roughly chopped
- 1 can diced tomatoes no-salt-added drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning blend
- 0.5 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Preheat and Prep Peppers
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Place peppers upright in a baking dish. If they do not stand straight, trim a tiny sliver from the bottom to stabilize them.
Step 2: Cook the Turkey Filling
In a skillet over medium-high heat, cook ground turkey breaking it apart for 6 to 8 minutes until no longer pink. Drain any excess fat. Add Italian seasoning, drained diced tomatoes, and baby spinach. Cook 2 more minutes until spinach wilts.
Step 3: Fill and Top the Peppers
Spoon the turkey and spinach mixture evenly into each bell pepper, pressing down lightly to pack it in. Top each filled pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese divided equally among the four peppers.
Step 4: Bake Until Tender
Pour a thin layer of water into the bottom of the baking dish to help steam the peppers. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake 8 more minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground turkey → lean ground chicken or extra-lean ground beef for similar macros
- mozzarella cheese → nutritional yeast for a dairy-free cheesy topping
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Skipping the water in the bottom of the baking dish which causes peppers to dry out and not cook evenly
- Overfilling the peppers so the cheese and filling overflow and burn on the pan
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 310 calories, 32g protein, 12g carbs, 15g fat, 4g fiber.
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