Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a great way to get a complete meal without the need for sides. The ground turkey provides lean protein, quinoa is a great whole grain that is also a great source of protein, and the peppers add a boost of vitamin C that we could all use.

Another great thing about this recipe is that you can modify it for your Crohn's or ulcerative colitis food sensitivities. You can swap rice for quinoa, skip the cheese, or just make the "stuffing" and omit the peppers altogether if they are not friendly to your GI system. This is definitely a crowd-pleaser meal, and leftovers are just as tasty!

Serves 4

Ingredients for ground turkey stuffed peppers

• 4 bell peppers, top cut off and seeds removed (keep tops for baking)
• 1 lb. ground turkey
• 1 bag Boil-in-Bag quinoa, cooked according to package
• 1/2 can organic black beans, rinsed
• 1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
• 1 tomato, diced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tbsp. taco seasoning
• Shredded Mexican cheese (optional, just enough for topping)

Directions for ground turkey stuffed peppers

1. Add 1 tbsp. olive oil to a large skillet and cook ground turkey, drain excess liquid.
2. In a medium-size sauce pan, add ground turkey, quinoa, beans, onion, tomato, salt, pepper, olive oil, and taco seasoning.  Stir until vegetables are soft, about 10-12 minutes.
3. In the meantime, set oven to Bake at 350F and wrap the bottom of peppers with aluminum foil so that they stand upright in a baking pan.
4. Fill peppers with quinoa filling, top with cheese (if preferred), and place tops of peppers on top.
5. Bake for 30 minutes, or until peppers are soft.

Note: To reheat, bake at 350F for 15 minutes or microwave for 2 minutes.

Crohn's and ulcerative colitis recipes

When it comes to cooking with IBD, we're all working from a different set of ingredients. Food sensitivities and dietary restrictions vary greatly from person to person, and there is no one diet recommended for Crohn's or ulcerative colitis. Check out our full list of recipes for more ideas – all from people who cook, eat, and live with IBD!