Want a healthy riff on tacos? These meaty, savory generously spiced turkey taco stuffed vegetables are the answer. This stuffed vegetable recipe has the traditional cumin and chili peppers of tacos without any guilt.
My morning routine goes something like this:
5:30 workout at the gym
6:45 coffee, make lunches, catch up on e-mails
7:15 breakfast and the common question – “What do you want for dinner?”
I don’t ask that question because I’m starving for a pork chop, right now — I just want a heads up on what I should take out of the freezer to defrost, so that I’m not caught at 6:30 that night with no plan. Not that it doesn’t happen, but at least with something defrosted, I’ve got a loose framework of where to start.
Scott’s typical response to that question is “something healthy” — which is absolutely no help when I want to know what to take out of the freezer. On this particular morning, however, he surprised me and said, “How about some stuffed vegetables?” Wow! Impressive. Like he actually gave it some thought.
So, I thought, “Great! We’ll have those Italian-esque turkey stuffed peppers for dinner.” But as the day wore on, I was craving Tex-Mex. Does that ever happen to you? Your brain gets fixated on one craving? (And no, I’m not pregnant.)
Instead of pulling out the marinara and mozzarella, I reached for the cumin, chili powder and other spices. I mixed the turkey with the spices and added some sauteed vegetables, along with cooked quinoa to help bind it all together and to up the protein factor.
I scraped the gills from the mushrooms and filled them with the savory turkey mixture. It made so much filling, that I actually had some leftover, so I halved a bell pepper and stuffed it as well.
A little cheese on top and into the oven they went. Scott and Emily loved them! He kept commenting about how good they were between bites. These stuffed mushrooms were savory and meaty with a toasty-spicy Tex-Mex flavor!
One mushroom cap is plenty for one serving and it’s even better with a little salsa, cilantro and green onion on top. This is a simple, healthy, delicious and very satisfying meal. The best part – there was plenty for leftovers the next night! Win!
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Turkey Taco Stuffed Vegetables
ingredients
- 1 cup cooked quinoa cooled
- 1 cup onion diced
- 1 medium zucchini shredded
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil divided
- 1 pound ground turkey breast
- 2 tablespoons pickled jalapeno chopped
- 6 portobello mushroom caps or bell pepper halves — I used 4 mushroom caps and split 1 bell pepper
- 1/2 cup cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, grated
For the taco seasoning
- 3/4 teaspoon cumin
- 3/4 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
- pinch crushed red pepper
- 3/4 teaspoon oregano
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
for garnish
- cheese such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, grated
- green onions sliced
- cilantro
- salsa
instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°. Line a rimmed sheet pan with parchment paper.
- In a large skillet over medium high heat add one tablespoon olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the onion, zucchini and garlic and cook until softened, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl. Add the remaining tablespoon olive oil to the pan and add the turkey, breaking it up and stirring until browned. Add the taco seasoning and cook for one additional minute. Remove the turkey from heat and add the sautéed vegetables back to the pan. Add the cooked quinoa and pickled jalapeños and stir to combine.
- Stuff the portobello caps and bell peppers generously with turkey stuffing. Place the stuffed vegetables on the baking sheet. Cover lightly with tin foil and bake for 20 minutes. Divide cheese among the stuffed vegetables and bake for 8-10 minutes longer. Remove from oven and transfer to a serving platter. Serve topped with garnishes.
Notes
Nutrition
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This sounds fantastic!!! I love the Tex-Mex spin you’ve put on this- it seriously sounds amazing. And salsa on top? Yummm
It’s very hearty and filling with a nod to Taco night!
I LOVE anything with mushrooms, but peppers are good too! EEK, how to decide? I guess I’ll have to try them both. 🙂
I had enough filling for 4 mushroom caps and 2 stuffed pepper halves!
I love, love, love this idea! Tacos are delicious but we don’t eat a lot of carbs – the stuffed taco mushrooms are brilliant. My 14 month old will LOVE them!
We had them last night and there were no complaints! We love stuffed vegetables in this house!
LOVE stuffed, grilled mushrooms! Your tex-mex take makes it a perfect addition to the next BBQ!!
I hadn’t even thought of cooking them on the grill, but it’s a great idea!
Taco stuffed vegetables sounds like a great and healthy meal! And the sort of thing you could easily put together on weeknight. I’m always looking for recipes like that.
I think everyone needs meals like that! Thanks, Annemarie!
Oh yum! This looks like a perfectly balanced meal that will not hurt my waist line!! I so need this. Making this soon.
Exactly!
Such an incredible use of vegetables and turkey! Love the incorporation of taco seasonings and garnishes.
I think taco flavors are a “thing” for most families – so this is just slightly healthified!
what a delicious idea!
It’s simple and tasty!
I love this recipe so much. Sharing it on my Facebook page. Brilliant idea to use portabello mushrooms and quinoa.
Thanks so much Christie! Glad you like it!
Love the Tex Mex twist on this dish, healthier than a burrito that’s for sure.
definitely!