Whole30 Stuffed Peppers are an easy dinner. These paleo stuffed peppers are healthy, gluten free + dairy free and can be made in the slow cooker or oven. An Italian dinner made lighter with cauliflower rice!
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These Whole30 Stuffed Peppers are the perfect easy dinner! Made with only a few simple ingredients like ground meat, cauliflower rice, and veggies – the filling is naturally paleo, gluten free and Whole30 friendly!
Unlike other stuffed peppers that are often greasy and loaded with dairy, these peppers are light and fresh while still being totally delicious!
Plus, they’re made in the crockpot or slow cooker which makes them even easier to make! You can also make them in the oven or in your instant pot.
It’s no secret how much I love my crockpot, and clearly you all do too! This post where I listed the best Easy Whole30 Crock Pot Dinner Recipes has been so popular!
I’m not entirely surprised though – who doesn’t like throwing a bunch of ingredients in their crockpot, putting the lid on it, and calling it a day.
One of the things my mom used to make as a kid was stuffed peppers. They’re a classic Italian dish that is usually made with homemade sauce, ground beef, rice + bread crumbs – which can make them feel a little bit heavy.
I wasn’t always a huge fan of them, but now they’re one of my favorite meals! Sometimes we like to have the real deal – but other days we want a lighter option, which is where these Whole30 Stuffed Peppers come into play.
Let me show you just how easy they are to make!
P.S. – If you love crockpot recipes, check out these Healthy Crockpot Recipes! Or if you love the flavors of stuffed peppers, check out our healthy Stuffed Pepper Soup, Unstuffed Pepper Skillet, Taco Stuffed Peppers, or Stuffed Pepper Casserole!
Ingredients for Paleo Stuffed Peppers:
To make these delicious stuffed peppers, you’ll need:
- peppers
- carrots, onions, cauliflower rice
- ground turkey
- tomato sauce
- salt, pepper
- fresh herbs
You can find substitutions for all of these ingredients below in the green shaded substitutions box.Â
A food processor will make cutting your veggies SO easy.
We love to get our ground turkey from ButcherBox. Learn more about why we love it in this ButcherBox Reviews Post.
How to make Whole30 Stuffed Peppers:
Making healthy stuffed peppers is super simple.
- First, brown your turkey. Then – add your onion, garlic + carrots. Make sure not to add the cauliflower rice until the end – you don’t want to over cook it.Â
- Toss the cauliflower rice + sauce in the mixture
- While that is cooking, cut your peppers for stuffing.Â
- Make sure your filling is evenly tossed so everything gets coated!
- Stuff your peppers!
- Cook per the instructions below in the crockpot, oven, or instant pot.
We’ve also included instant pot instructions for these stuffed peppers too!
What makes these Paleo Stuffed Peppers Healthy?
- No Rice: We subbed cauliflower rice for regular rice to make these peppers whole30 friendly and lower in carbs
- No Breadcrumbs: We skipped the breadcrumbs that are often found in stuffed peppers because they really aren’t necessary!
- No Cheese: We left out the cheese, because while it’s delicious – dairy isn’t whole30 and many people can’t enjoy it due to dietary restrictions (although you can totally make them with parmesan cheese or mozzarella if you’d like!)
Cauliflower rice can be super finicky.. Sometimes it turns to mush and sometimes (in my opinion) it doesn’t taste great…I really won’t eat cauliflower rice unless it’s my Taco Cauliflower Rice Bowls or Greek Chicken Cauliflower Rice Bowls.
But I swear, these do not taste like mushy cauliflower rice. Since you don’t cook the cauliflower ahead of time, it stays firmer like regular rice.
Can you make these whole30 stuffed peppers in the oven?
Yes! Instead of placing these in the crockpot, you can put them in an oven safe dish and bake at 375 for about 40-50 minutes. Make sure to cover the peppers with foil and try to baste them every 15 minutes or so to avoid them getting dried out!
See the recipe card for full oven instructions + instant pot instructions.
Substitutions
These peppers are pretty versatile. Here are a few ways you can customize them!
Meat– You can use ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken in these stuffed peppers. I bet cooked instant pot shredded chicken would also be delicious! If you need other ideas for ground beef/turkey try our Homemade Hamburger Helper
Herbs: If you don’t have fresh basil or parsley, cut the amount by 1/4 for dried spices. 3 tablespoons fresh basil = 3/4 tablespoon dried basil. 2 tablespoons fresh parsley = 1/2 tablespoon dried basil.Â
Sauce: I prefer to use my own tomato sauce in this recipe (it’s so easy to make!) But you can also used jarred sauce.
Rice: If you want to use regular rice instead of cauliflower rice, just sub cooked rice in for cauliflower rice. Rice is not paleo or whole30. You could also use quinoa. We have a Turkey Quinoa Stuffed Peppers recipe that is super easy to make!
Cheese: If you’re not doing a whole30- go ahead and sprinkle some parmesan and mozzarella on these peppers. It’s delicious!
If you’re feeling lazy – you could also try these Healthy Unstuffed Peppers! They’re just as yummy!
Storing/Serving Whole30 Stuffed Peppers:
Storing: These stuffed peppers store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days
Can you freeze stuffed peppers?:Â Yes! Whole30 Stuffed Peppers freeze well. I put them in individual containers after they have cooked + completely cooled.
They do get a little watery when defrosting, so I would recommend reheating in the toaster oven instead of the microwave.
Whole30 Stuffed Peppers
Red or white wine both pair well with red peppers, but we would recommend red (Merlot). If you’re doing a Whole30- water or seltzer!
If you don’t want watery stuffed peppers, here are a few tips! Sauté any veggies (onion, garlic, celery) ahead of time so that the water is released before baking. Bake the stuffed peppers uncovered so moisture can escape.
Yes! We always cook our ground beef (or turkey/chicken!) before making the filling for the stuffed peppers. It ensures it is completely cooked and browning the meat gives it flavor.
Yes, bell peppers are paleo!
Try these other healthy whole30 crockpot meals:
If you love ground turkey, check out these Healthy Ground Turkey Recipes! Otherwise check out these healthy crockpot dinners:
Whole30 Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 large bell peppers (red, orange, or yellow have best flavor)
- 1 lb ground turkey
- 1/2 cup onions minced finely
- 1 tablespoon garlic minced finely
- 1 cup carrots minced finely
- 1 cup cauliflower rice
- 2 cups tomato sauce (leave 6 tablespoons off to the side!)
- 3 tablespoons fresh basil chopped finely
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley chopped finely
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Crockpot Instructions
- In a large pan, heat olive oil. Sauté turkey for 5-10 minutes.
- While the turkey is cooking, slice the tops of the peppers off + remove the seeds.
- Stir in onion, garlic and carrot mixture with turkey. *Make sure to leave the cauliflower rice off to the side – you do not want it to cook!*
- Sauté until veggies are soft. When everything is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in raw cauliflower rice, tomato sauce + spices.
- Stuff the peppers with the mixture and top each pepper with remaining tablespoon of tomato sauce. You can use a spoon or your hands to fill the peppers + press the mixture down to fit all of it inside.
- Add peppers to crockpot and 1/4 cup water in the base. Cook the peppers on low for 4-6 hours.
Oven Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375. In a large pan, heat olive oil. Sauté turkey for 5-10 minutes.
- While the turkey is cooking, slice the tops of the peppers off + remove the seeds.
- Stir in onion, garlic and carrot mixture with turkey. *Make sure to leave the cauliflower rice off to the side – you do not want it to cook!*
- Sauté until veggies are soft. When everything is cooked, turn off the heat. Stir in raw cauliflower rice, tomato sauce + spices.
- Stuff the peppers with the mixture and top each pepper with remaining tablespoon of tomato sauce. You can use a spoon or your hands to fill the peppers + press the mixture down to fit all of it inside.
- Place peppers in a 9×13 oven safe dish and cover with foil. Bake at 375 for about 35-40 minutes until peppers are easily pierced with a fork. Make sure to cover the peppers with foil.
Instant Pot Instructions
- Note: You will only be able to fit 4 peppers in the instant pot. You can cook these in 2 batches OR set the small amount of extra filling off to the side to use for other meals/snacks. It is great on it's own!
- Set the Instant Pot to sauté mode for 15 minutes. Heat olive oil. Sauté turkey for 5-10 minutes.
- While the turkey is cooking, slice the tops of the peppers off + remove the seeds.
- Add in onion, garlic, carrots to Instant Pot and salt/pepper with turkey. *Make sure to leave the cauliflower rice off to the side – you do not want it to cook!*
- Sauté until veggies are soft. Stir in raw cauliflower + tomato sauce. Stuff the peppers with the mixture and top each pepper with remaining tablespoon of tomato sauce.
- Make sure to scrape off any pieces of food on the bottom of the Instant Pot or you will may a burn notice during cooking. Add trivet to bottom of Instant Pot and pour in 1 cup of water.Â
- Place stuffed peppers onto trivet. Set the pressure release to sealing (on older models) Set the Instant Pot to pressure cook for 5 minutes. Release pressure immediately. Use tongs to remove from Instant Pot and serve.Â
Video
Notes
- Make sure to scrape off any pieces of food on the bottom of the Instant Pot or you will may a burn notice during cooking.Â
- Make sure your Instant Pot pressure is set to sealing.
Melissa says
So easy and yummy! I made the filling on the stovetop but used the instant pot to cook the peppers because I don’t love the way my IP sautés. Then I sprinkled parmesan on the peppers (dairy free for me and regular for the hubby) and popped them under the broiler for a couple minutes. I was worried that using frozen cauliflower rice would make the filling too watery but it turned out great!
Rachel says
How long do I cook these for if I want to cook them on high in the crockpot? Thanks!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
It says it in the recipe 🙂 Cook the peppers on low for 4-6 hours.
Linda McIntyre says
I haven’t made these yet, but thinking about it. My consideration is whether or not they can be frozen. I am the only member of my household. I like the idea of cooking something and having leftovers to freeze for another day. Can these be frozen??
The Clean Eating Couple says
This is covered in the blog post. pasting here: Can you freeze stuffed peppers?: Yes! Whole30 Stuffed Peppers freeze well. I put them in individual containers after they have cooked + completely cooled.
They do get a little watery when defrosting, so I would recommend reheating in the toaster oven instead of the microwave.
Laura Lewis says
Phenomenal! I had poblanos and used to them instead of bell peppers. Lean ground beef, I added some nutritional yeast and a little bit of paleo powder.
I used about a cup and a half of cauliflower rice.
I used my instant pot to make the recipe, and just had some leftover reheated in the air fryer for breakfast. Delicious!
Catie says
These were delicious!! I ended up doing half cauli rice and half brown rice and they turned out great. Loved getting in so many veggies and will definitely be making these again. Thanks for sharing this yummy one!
Nicole Plemmons says
The best stuffed peppers I’ve ever made, and I’ve made a lot -it’s my husbands favorite meal. I tried the quinoa method vs cauliflower or rice and didn’t have tomato sauce from the can so added marinara from the jar and about 1-2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast. I’m unable to use parsley and only had dried basil so I placed 4 tablespoons in my 1.5 lbs of beef. I blanched the peppers prior to stuffing as my peppers were very tough and crunchy. Absolutely delicious.
Cheryl says
Another flavorful and easy recipe! Whole30 perfection and so easy for lunch leftovers! Used organic everything and I feel so satisfied!
Love the fresh herbs over dried as well! 10/10!!
The Clean Eating Couple says
Makes me so happy to hear this!!
Charlotte says
Have you tried these stuffed peppers with ground pork? It’s what I have on hand and think I’ll just give it a try!
The Clean Eating Couple says
I haven’t tried it but I’m sure it will work great!
ElizabethTaylor says
This was so delicious! I used frozen cauliflower rice because it’s what I had on hand and didn’t find it too watery for my taste. Also, mozzarella cheese on top was amazing!
The Clean Eating Couple says
So happy you liked it! Thank you!
Kristen says
Hi, Can I use the easy cauliflower rice pouches in this recipe or does it have to be fully raw cauliflower?
The Clean Eating Couple says
I’m not sure – I’m not really familiar with that product so I can’t tell if it would work or not. It might be too mushy