When I first posted this recipe for Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers years ago, I knew it would become a favorite with my readers because it was already a favorite of mine. Of all of the recipes that I post on this blog, this one is undoubtedly the one I make most often. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner: It takes less than an hour to put together, requires only a few ingredients, and it’s always a hit with the whole house. And as a bonus, it’s also low-carb and low-calorie (at only ~250 calories per serving).
A cheesy, meaty, easy, kid- and budget- and diet-friendly recipe that tastes awesome. It’s like a thing of fairy-tales.
But this recipe is 100% real, you guys. How’d I come up with something so great? Well, as they say, I got it from my mama.
When I was growing up, my mom didn’t cook many different things. We were a busy and picky family which made our dinner options limited– and by limited, I mean incredibly boring and monotonous. (Sorry, Mom.) It was basically meat, re-hydrated creamy pasta sides, and microwaved frozen broccoli every day. Blah.
Anyway, then I went away to college. That’s when my mom decided she would switch things up with tons of mouth-watering food, and she and my brother would laugh maniacally at the dinner table about how I was missing out and surviving on Ramen noodles in my dorm.
That’s exactly how it went down. I’m convinced.
But one day my poor, hungry, college-student self traveled back home for an unannounced visit– one that was welcomed with a wave of the most delicious smell the second I walked through the door. I’ve gotta admit, I probably would have drooled at the thought of any dinner that wasn’t from the dining hall line, but I could tell right away that something especially awesome had just come out of the oven.
I showed up just in time for dinner and there was a dish of Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers, all sauced up and smothered with melted cheese, sitting on the table. And there just so happened to be enough for me to try some.
Thus began my stuffed pepper love story.
The great thing about this recipe is that even though we’re a lot less fussy with our foods these days, it still would have worked for our picky palates way back when we were eating never-ending pasta sides, and it for sure still works with our busy schedules. If you feel like you can relate to those struggles– and let’s be honest, the majority of families probably do– these Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers are really going to be an asset for you.
I know they are for me.
Sure, it sounds crazy that I often find myself with limited time to cook (because I’m a food blogger and all), but for all of the days that I’m actually cooking up recipes that wind up on the blog, there are several more that involve sitting in front of the computer all day to develop recipe ideas, edit photos, manage social media, answer emails, and all of that less delicious stuff. On those days, Mom’s Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers are a go-to in my house, and even though I make ’em all the time, James and I always get excited for them like they’re a special treat.
Oh yeah, did I mention that James is obsessed with these stuffed peppers? He even makes them himself sometimes… in fact, I think they might be the only recipe he’s ever made for us since we’ve started dating. If they’re good enough to get James to cook, you know they’re special.
I’m so glad that my mom was willing to share her special recipe with me, and after a little bit of persuading, gave me the go-ahead to post the recipe for you guys. I know you’re going to love them just as much as we do!
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Mom’s Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers, assorted colors
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 (24 ounce) can Sloppy Joe sauce
- 1 tablespoon canola oil
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
- 6 slices thin-sliced colby jack cheese
- Parsley and green onion, chopped, to top
- Brown rice, cooked, to serve (optional)
Instructions
- Using a paring knife or other small knife, cut around the stems to remove them from the peppers and discard.
- Cut the peppers in half and cut out any leftover seeds or membrane.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a large, heavy bottomed skillet over medium-high heat, add a drizzle of canola oil. Once the oil is hot, add in the ground turkey, breaking it apart as it browns.
- Once the turkey browns, drain off any excess liquid. Add in enough of the Sloppy Joe sauce to fully coat the ground turkey, reserving a the remainder for topping the rice, if desired. Cook for 2 minutes, and then cover and reduce heat to low.
- As the turkey cooks, spray a large, oven-safe dish with nonstick cooking spray and place in the peppers, cut side up. Bake for 15 minutes, or until slightly softened.
- Divide the Sloppy Joe turkey meat evenly among the pepper halves. Bake again for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat the remaining Sloppy Joe sauce in the same skillet.
- Top each pepper half with a slice of cheese and bake one last time, for 5 minutes or until the cheese has completely melted.
- Top with chopped parsley or green onion. Serve with brown rice and additional sauce, if desired.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
Sounds great, but I won’t be able to do it 🙁 Nor will anyone not living in US, as they will not be able to buy “1 can Sloppy Joe sauce”. Is there any recipe to make that? Or is the canned version the only option?
Hi Edeta! I wasn’t aware that canned Sloppy Joe sauce wasn’t available outside of the US! You could make your own, definitely. Here’s a recipe I found from google: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/sloppy-joes-ii/ but I’ve never tried it personally.
Thank you for the reply 🙂 I will try it
You can make this with manwich instead of hunts sloppy Joe mix. In Canada we have manwich.
The Hunts Sloppy Joe Mix is Manwich! =)
So fun! I love sloppy joes but don’t eat bread so this is perfect for me!
This looks SOOOO good- definitely pinned this one to try soon, thanks for sharing- YUM!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Hi Morgan,
I just wanted to let you know that my girlfriend and I made these the other night and they were SO easy and amazing! I’m an avid follower of hots the toast now and all the recipes we’ve tried have been phenomenal. Thank you so much!
★★★★★
Hi Ryan,
I’m so happy that you and your girlfriend enjoyed these, and that you’re a regular ’round here. =) Thanks for the nice comment!
these stuffed peppers look totally delicious and SO cheesy.. definitely craving this for dinner tonight, thanks for the inspiration!
Have you ever cooked the peppers ahead and filled and refrigerated? Just curious if it could be prepared up until the last oven cooking and cheese topping
I have never tried that, personally, but I’d assume it would work out fine!
I’m preparing these and was wondering if you knew how many net carbs were in a serving? Doesn’t seem like much but was wondering on an exact number.
I’m sorry, I’m not sure. I could look it up but I’m not positive how correct they’d be so I don’t want to risk putting out any incorrect information. However I believe myfitnesspal.com has options where you can put in recipes and get all of the nutrition information and then save them for tracking, if you’d be interested in that. I used to use MFP all the time and I highly recommend it if you’re watching your carbs or calories.
Had these tonight, who knew, sloppy joes in a bell pepper, my hubby loved them told me this was way better than the meat loaf style, will add these to our reg. routine, Thank you for the thought. These are way healthier also with out all the bread or bun….
What sides would go well with these?
Peppers were too tough, it’s typical to boil them first. Also, mix the rice into sloppyjoe and meat mix.
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Aw, I’m sorry that your peppers were too tough. This is even after pre-cooking them before filling? I’ve never had that issue but I appreciate the feedback!
I’ve made this recipe with so many variations. Its amazing! Sometimes I use manwich and grill some Brussels sprouts to go with it, sometimes I use el pato and tomato paste and make Spanish rice, sometimes I make broccoli/rice/cheese to go inside. Love it, thanks for the suggestion thats turned into so many family meals 🙂
★★★★★