Simple & Delicious Low Carb Stuffed Bell Peppers (Lean & Green)

These stuffed peppers are very tasty!

Ingredients: 

4 large red, orange or yellow bell peppers

26 - 27 ounces 90% lean ground turkey

olive or avocado oil cooking spray

1/2 cup chopped leeks

1 cup riced cauliflower

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 3/4 cups Victoria Marinara Sauce (or other low carb sauce)

1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon Italian seasoning*

8 ounces reduced fat mozzarella cheese, grated**

Method:

Preheat oven to 400*. Line a large baking dish with aluminum foil. (It will make clean up easier.) 

Cut each pepper in half lengthwise.  For decoration, leave the stem intact, but remove the membrane and seeds. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. Set aside.

Spray a large skillet lightly with cooking spray. Add the leeks and cauliflower to the skillet. Sauté over medium heat just until the leeks begin to soften. (for about 3 to 5 minutes) Add the garlic and sauté for an additional minute, being careful not to brown the garlic. Remove the sautéed vegetables to a bowl and set aside. Add the turkey to the skillet. Cook and stir, over medium heat, until the meat is browned. Drain the fat.  Return the meat and cauliflower mixture to the pan. Stir in the marinara sauce, black pepper and seasoning. Set aside a 1/2 cup of the grated cheese. Stir the remainder of the cheese into the meat mixture. Allow to simmer over medium low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. 

Spoon the meat mixture evenly between the 8 bell pepper halves, gently pressing to fill in every crevasse. Place in the foil lined baking pan and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the reserved cheese over each pepper. Return to the oven and continue baking for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and lightly browned. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Makes 8 servings.

*Here is a simple recipe for homemade Italian Seasoning:  https://carriekitchencreations.blogspot.com/2019/09/homemade-italian-blend-seasoning-gluten.html

**You can use regular cheese if you are not following a lowfat meal plan.

Each pepper half equals: 1 lean, 2 3/4 greens & 2 1/2 condiments

Nutritional info per serving, approximately: 261.5 calories ~ 15.72 grams fat ~ 8.9 grams carbs ~ 7.33 grams net carbs ~ 25.5 grams protein

Optavia Meal Suggestion: For a complete Optavia Lean & Green meal, serve with a side of 1/4 cup cherry tomato halves and a smashed potato fueling  topped with 1 tablespoon salsa. (I added 1/4 cup of hot water to the potato fueling and cooked in a mini waffle maker.) Equals: 1 lean, 3 green, 1 fueling & 3 condiments

Nutritional Info for the complete Optavia meal (stuffed pepper, potato fueling & tomatoes):  276 calories ~ 15.86 gams fat ~ 11.27 grams carbs ~ 8.79 grams net carbs ~ 27 grams protein

Note: These stuffed peppers are delicious. The seasoned ground turkey tastes just like Italian sausage!