Instructions
1. **Prep the Peppers:** Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash the bell peppers, slice them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the pepper halves cut-side up in a baking dish. You can lightly spray the dish with cooking spray if desired.
2. **Sauté Aromatics and Mushrooms:** Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced red onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and chopped mushrooms and cook for another 5-7 minutes, until the mushrooms have released their liquid and are lightly browned.
3. **Cook the Turkey:** Add the ground turkey to the skillet with the onion and mushroom mixture. Break up the turkey with a spoon and cook until it’s no longer pink, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
4. **Flavor the Filling:** Stir in the BBQ sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, salt, and black pepper into the turkey mixture. Cook for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld. Remove from heat.
5. **Assemble the Peppers:** Stir half of the shredded cheese and all of the crumbled turkey bacon into the turkey mixture. Spoon the mixture evenly into each bell pepper half, mounding it slightly.
6. **Bake:** Transfer the baking dish to the preheated oven. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender-crisp and the filling is heated through.
7. **Cheese It Up!** Remove the peppers from the oven. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper. Return to the oven for another 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. **Serve:** Carefully remove the stuffed peppers from the oven. Garnish with fresh parsley, diced pickles, or a drizzle of extra BBQ sauce if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
Short Tips:
* For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the turkey mixture.
* Make ahead: You can prepare the filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Stuff the peppers and bake just before serving.
* If you prefer softer peppers, you can par-bake them for 10-15 minutes before stuffing.
* Don’t be afraid to customize! Add a dash of Worcestershire sauce to the filling or experiment with different cheese varieties.
