Quinoa Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Making a healthy dinner recipe doesn't have to lack great flavor! Quinoa Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers are an easy weeknight dinner that is hearty and healthy - yet doesn't taste like cardboard. These stuffed bell peppers are great for any time of year. Made with turkey, quinoa, tomatoes, corn and beans, all stuffed in a bright bell pepper and topped with cheese!

Quinoa Turkey Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

This Quinoa Turkey Stuffed Peppers recipe is a staple my whole family loves! This recipe became a favorite for us while we were living with my parents because it's easy to multiply and customize for people with very different palates and taste preferences.

At one point, we had someone who didn't like beans, a dairy-free eater, a vegetarian and someone who didn't like spicy food all under one roof. And this meal worked for every single one of us!

Quinoa is such a fun grain to work with because it is mild, but it is also really easy to combine with other flavors. Plus, it is high in protein which make this a very filling meal.

Ground turkey is a great way to provide extra protein without the calories of beef. I use ground turkey in other easy weeknight dinners like ground turkey stir fry and turkey sloppy joe bowls, or even simple turkey burgers.

Why You'll Love this Recipe

This is going to be your new weeknight dinner favorite, I just know it! Here's why:

• This quinoa stuffed pepper recipe makes plenty for leftovers or snacks, making a great make-ahead meal prep item!
• Stuffed peppers might seem complicated and fancy, but they're actually really easy to make. The cook time and prep time are pretty minimal with a few easy tricks.
• You can easily adapt this meal to fit your needs. Make a few simple changes for a vegetarian meal, a vegan option, or to remove a few things a picky eater may not eat.

Ingredients

On your next trip to the grocery store, pick up a handful of simple ingredients to bring these stuffed peppers together.

Of course, you'll need fresh bell peppers to hold the filling. Choose firm, brightly colored peppers with smooth skin, since they'll hold their shape best when stuffed and baked. I usually go for red, yellow and orange, but green work too.

You'll also need with ground turkey, corn (canned or frozen works) and a can of diced tomatoes with chiles for a little kick. Add in hearty black beans, fluffy quinoa and a sprinkle of shredded cheese to tie it all together. Don't forget a bunch of fresh cilantro for a bright, herby finish!

Substitutions and Variations

There are so many ways you can mix up this recipe! I almost never make this quinoa stuffed peppers recipe to a "T" because I just use whatever I have on hand. Here are some ideas:

1. Pepper picks: Any type of bell peppers can be used in this great recipe! Use green bell peppers, red bell peppers, yellow, or orange. Each have a slightly different flavor, so you can make a couple of each to see which one you prefer. For a spicier meal, poblano peppers are great. If you'd rather not use peppers, try it in zucchini boats.
2. Protein possibilities: You can also use leftover turkey from other meals, or even shred up some leftover chicken.
3. Great grains: This recipe of course calls for cooked quinoa, but you could use white rice or brown rice instead. Use cauliflower rice for a grain-free option!
4. Bean backups: If you're not a fan of black beans, swap them out for kidney beans, pinto beans, white beans, or leave them out entirely if you prefer.
5. Cheesy choices: You can use any shredded cheese that you'd like, such as Cheddar cheese, Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack, mozzarella cheese or a Mexican blend.
6. Topping twists: Feel free to add anything you want to the quinoa stuffing. Some can be baked in, like minced garlic, taco seasoning or other vegetables, while others you can add on top, like pico de gallo, sour cream, guacamole, etc. The possibilities are endless!

How to Make Turkey and Quinoa Stuff Peppers

Ready to make these quinoa turkey stuffed peppers? Here's how:

1. Cook quinoa according to package directions. You can make instant pot quinoa (or instant pot brown rice) to make things a little easier on yourself!
2. Brown the turkey meat in a large skillet, drain off any excess fat, and set aside once it's complete. While that's going, start a pot of boiling water.
3. Remove the core and seeds from all bell peppers, and cut in half down the center. Place each bell pepper into the boiling water for 5 minutes, or until the colors turn vibrant.
4. Using tongs, remove the bell peppers from the water and set aside. Go ahead and preheat the oven to 450°F (230°C).
5. In a large bowl, combine the fluffy quinoa, corn, black beans, diced tomatoes, cilantro and half of the shredded cheese.
6. Stuff the bell pepper halves with the quinoa mixture, and top each one with a little cheese. Then, bake the quinoa stuffed peppers for 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Tips for Success

• Grease the bottom of your baking dish with olive oil cooking spray or butter to keep the bell peppers from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Need to speed up the cooking process even more? Use pre-cooked quinoa to make the delicious filling!
• If you'd like to make bigger servings, cut the top off of a bell pepper and core it. Then stand it up in a pan and fill it vertically!

What to Serve with Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

Quinoa stuffed peppers are a complete meal all on their own, but you can of course serve your favorite side dishes too!

A green salad like a spinach salad is a great healthy side dish option. Or make an easy side vegetable like oven-roasted green beans or oven-roasted broccoli for some extra green on the plate.

You can also make it a more robust meal with fun toppings like crispy onion straws, red salsa, diced avocado and tortilla chips (makes it even more fun for the kids).

FAQ

More Main Dish Recipes

• Beef and Broccoli Stir Fry
• Creamy Chicken Risotto
• Pork Tenderloin with Apples
• Shrimp Risotto