These tasty stuffed bell peppers offer a new take on traditional pasta dishes by using peppers instead of bowls! The mix of turkey sausage, orzo, and Italian cheeses makes this stuffed bell peppers recipe great for family dinner. It's a practical weeknight meal that's delicious and full of flavor.
Jump to:
🗝️ Recipe's key points
- This stuffed peppers recipe can be partly prepped in the morning to save time at dinner.
- The mix of pasta and protein makes these stuffed bell peppers hearty enough for a complete meal.
- While perfect for busy weeknights, it's also impressive enough for company.
If you're looking for new dinner ideas, these stuffed bell peppers are sure to be a hit! They're easy to make, store well, and the whole family will love them.
🛒 Ingredients
This is an overview of the ingredients. You'll find the full measurements and instructions in the recipe card (printable) at the bottom of the page.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
- Bell peppers - choose firm ones with smooth skin and green stems
- Ground turkey sausage - adds protein and flavor
- Orzo - creates a filling base
- Marinara sauce - brings classic Italian flavor
- Ricotta cheese - adds creaminess
- Mozzarella cheese - melts on top
- Olive oil - for cooking and drizzling
- Fresh herbs - basil and parsley for garnish
- Kosher salt - enhances all the flavors
🗒 Instructions
This is an overview of the Stuffed Peppers recipe instructions. Full instructions are in the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
- Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare bell peppers and season with olive oil and salt. Pre-bake peppers for 12 minutes.
- Cook turkey sausage until browned.
- Mix marinara sausage into the cooked ground turkey.
- Add orzo, ricotta, and fresh basil to the turkey mixture.
- Stir in the rest of the ingredients.
- Make sure they are well combined.
- Fill the pepper halves with the mixture and top them with mozzarella.
- Bake until the peppers are tender but firm. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve!
🥫 Storage
Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
You can also freeze them for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.
📚 Variations
- Different Peppers: Combine different colors of bell peppers for a lovely look. Each color has a unique flavor
- Cheese Options: Substitute the ricotta with cottage cheese or add different melting cheeses on top
- Pasta Alternatives: Try small pasta shapes like ditalini or small shells instead of orzo
- Protein Choices: Substitute ground chicken or beef for the turkey sausage
👩🏻🍳 Tips
- Choose bell peppers that feel heavy for their size and have fresh, green stems
- To make ahead, halve and seed the peppers in the morning, store in the refrigerator
- For easier serving, cut the peppers lengthwise through the middle rather than through the stem
- Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes after baking to help them hold their shape when serving
🤔 FAQs
Traditional recipes often use ground meat, rice, and tomato sauce. This recipe gives an Italian twist by using turkey sausage and orzo instead. Common fillings include cheese, vegetables, quinoa, or even taco-seasoned meat.
These stuffed bell peppers make a complete meal on their own, but they pair well with a green salad, garlic bread, or roasted vegetables. A side of crusty Italian bread is also perfect for soaking up any extra sauce.
Yes, precooking the peppers for 12 minutes helps make sure they're perfectly tender when the dish is done. If you skip this step, the peppers might be too firm while the filling is already hot.
Yes! These stuffed bell peppers freeze very well. Let them cool completely, then store in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When ready to eat, thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat in the oven until heated through.
This recipe is inspired by Italian flavors. But did you know that stuffed peppers are popular in many cuisines around the world?
📗 Related Recipes
If you love stuffed pepper recipes, be sure to try our Orzo Stuffed Peppers with Spinach and Grape Tomatoes and Mushroom Risotto Stuffed Peppers!
For more orzo recipes, check out these favorites:
- Baked Salmon Orzo Casserole
- Butternut Sausage Orzo Soup
- Creamy Orzo With Marinated Tomatoes
- Ultimate Greek Orzo Salad
Spice up your life with a Savory Stuffed Spaghetti Squash. This dish is a flavorful twist on traditional spaghetti. All the taste and none of the calories.
🍽 What to serve with Stuffed Bell Peppers
Enjoy these stuffed peppers with a crisp green salad, garlic cheesy bread, or roasted vegetables like zucchini stuffed with parmesan garlic breadcrumbs or parmesan roasted broccoli.
🔪 All Our Way recommends the following
The following are affiliate links. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
You’ll need the following items to make this recipe successfully.
- Large baking dish - for roasting the peppers
- Sharp knife and cutting board - for preparing peppers and chopping herbs
- Large skillet - for cooking the turkey sausage mixture
- Wooden spoon or silicone spatula - for stirring and breaking up meat
- Measuring cups and spoons - for precise ingredient amounts
- Medium pot - for cooking the orzo
- Colander - for draining the pasta
📞 Chiacchierata (chat)
In Italy, stuffed vegetables, like bell peppers, have a rich tradition. They symbolize abundance and hospitality. Families often gather to share this delightful dish. Stuffed peppers reflect the Italian principle of "cucina povera" or poor kitchen. This means making the most of simple, fresh ingredients. It's a heartfelt way to enjoy a meal.
Ecco (there you have it) -- a recipe that's as easy as it is delicious. These tacchino (turkey) sausage and orzo stuffed peppers are colorful, healthy, and a surefire way to make dinner a little more exciting. The best part? They come together in just 30 minutes, so you can spend less time cooking and more time enjoying the meal with your loved ones.
Fidati di me (Trust me), you won't regret trying this recipe. It's got everything: flavor, nutrition, and family-approved satisfaction. So grab some bell peppers and get stuffing -- your taste buds will thank you. Buon appetito!
Tutti a tavolo, è pronto!
If you love this recipe please give it 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
What's new? Check out my All Our Way Store on Amazon. We'll be adding more items we love and use or wish we had to make cooking fun and easy.
📖 Recipe
Colorful Comfort: Turkey and Orzo Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- 4 large assorted bell peppers halved lengthwise and seeded
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil divided
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 pound ground turkey sausage
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 2 cups orzo cooked according to package directions
- ⅔ cup whole-milk ricotta cheese
- 2 Tablespoons freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
- Garnish: chopped fresh basil chopped fresh Italian parsley
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400 ℉.
- Place bell pepper halves in a large baking dish, cut side up. Drizzle with 1 Tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with salt.
- Bake for 12 minutes. Leave oven on.
- Heat the remaining 2 Tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add sausage; cook, breaking up meat, until lightly browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in marinara sauce; remove from heat. Fold in cooked orzo, ricotta, and basil. Place a mounded ½ cup sausage mixture in each bell pepper half. Top with mozzarella.
- Bake until peppers are tender but firm, about 15 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with basil and parsley, if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Sign up for the emails and never miss another recipe!!
We'll never share your email or send you spam. Promise
Marisa Franca
I like making these ahead and popping them in the oven a little before dinner. Everyone loves the sausage-orzo combination.