Easy Mini Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Introduction

Easy Mini Stuffed Peppers are a delicious and colorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests. These bite-sized peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground turkey, rice, and fresh vegetables, then baked in a flavorful tomato sauce. Serve with sour cream and dill for a creamy finish.

A pink pot filled with many stuffed mini bell peppers in a deep red tomato sauce is placed on a white marbled surface. The stuffed peppers show layers of bright orange and red skin with a pale brown filling inside. Three dollops of white sour cream are added on top, each sprinkled with small pieces of fresh green dill. A silver spoon rests on the right side inside the pot, partially submerged in the sauce. Above the pot, there is a small white bowl of chopped green herbs and a white bowl with sour cream and a gold spoon. A beige textured cloth is placed below the pot, beside stacked white plates with brown rims. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 2 pounds mini bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ cup sour cream (for serving)
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill (for serving)

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Step 2: In a heavy-bottom braiser pan that can go in the oven, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, grated carrot, and 1 teaspoon of kosher salt. Sauté for five minutes until softened.
  3. Step 3: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer for 3 minutes.
  4. Step 4: While the sauce is cooking, prepare the mini bell peppers by cutting off the stem area and scooping out the seeds with a small spoon.
  5. Step 5: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked rice, chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine.
  6. Step 6: Transfer the meat mixture to a ziplock bag. Cut a corner of the bag wide enough to pipe the filling out easily. Stuff each pepper with the mixture and place them into the sauce in the braiser.
  7. Step 7: Cover the braiser with foil or a lid and bake for 25-30 minutes. Check for tenderness after 25 minutes; if peppers are larger, bake an additional 5 minutes.
  8. Step 8: Serve the stuffed peppers with some sauce, a dollop of sour cream, and a sprinkle of fresh chopped dill.

Tips & Variations

  • For a vegetarian option, substitute ground turkey with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.
  • Try adding shredded cheese to the filling for extra flavor and creaminess.
  • Adjust the seasoning by adding smoked paprika or cayenne for a subtle smoky or spicy kick.
  • If mini peppers are unavailable, use regular bell peppers cut into smaller sections, adjusting baking time accordingly.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. This dish can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of small sweet peppers stuffed with a creamy, light filling that looks like a mix of cheese and herbs. The peppers are mainly yellow and red, with a shiny, soft texture that indicates they are cooked. The bright filling is visible in the open tops of the peppers, packed inside evenly. All the peppers are sitting in a rich, glossy orange sauce that slightly covers their sides, giving the dish a warm and juicy look. The sauce contains small bits of what could be shredded vegetables or herbs, adding texture and depth around the peppers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare and stuff the peppers ahead and keep them covered in the fridge before baking. Bake just before serving to ensure freshness.

What can I use instead of sour cream for serving?

You can substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt or a dollop of creme fraiche for a similar creamy and tangy finish.

Print
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Easy Mini Stuffed Peppers Recipe


  • Author: Ben
  • Total Time: 55 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x

Description

Easy Mini Stuffed Peppers are a delicious and hearty meal featuring ground turkey, cooked rice, and fresh vegetables stuffed into sweet mini bell peppers, baked to perfection in a savory tomato-based sauce. This recipe combines simple ingredients and straightforward steps to create a comforting dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner or entertaining guests.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Sauce and Vegetables

  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 1 small carrot, grated
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or more to taste)
  • 4 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cups chicken broth

For the Stuffed Peppers

  • 2 pounds mini bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground turkey
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 4 green onions, finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder

For Serving

  • ½ cup sour cream
  • 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
  2. Sauté Vegetables: In a heavy bottom braiser or oven-safe pan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the diced onion, grated carrot, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables are softened.
  3. Prepare the Sauce: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2 minutes to combine flavors. Pour in the chicken broth and bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3 more minutes to create a rich sauce.
  4. Prepare the Peppers: While the sauce simmers, cut off the stem end of each mini bell pepper and carefully scoop out the seeds with a small spoon, creating hollow vessels for stuffing.
  5. Make the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the ground turkey, cooked rice, chopped green onions, 1 teaspoon kosher salt, and garlic powder. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
  6. Stuff the Peppers: Transfer the meat mixture into a ziplock bag and cut off one corner to create a piping bag effect. Pipe the filling evenly into each hollowed mini pepper.
  7. Assemble and Bake: Nestle the stuffed peppers into the simmering sauce in the braiser. Cover the pan with foil or a lid and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes. Check for tenderness at 25 minutes; if peppers are larger, bake for an additional 5 minutes.
  8. Serve: Spoon some of the sauce over the stuffed peppers and garnish with a dollop of sour cream and fresh chopped dill for a creamy, herbal finish.

Notes

  • You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef if preferred.
  • If mini bell peppers are not available, small sweet peppers can also be used, adjusting baking time accordingly.
  • For a spicier kick, add a pinch of crushed red pepper or smoked paprika to the meat mixture.
  • Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for longer storage.
  • Sour cream adds creaminess and balances the tomato sauce, but Greek yogurt can be used as a healthier alternative.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 40 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Mini Stuffed Peppers, Ground Turkey Recipe, Baked Stuffed Peppers, Easy Dinner, Healthy Stuffed Peppers

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