Description
Stuffed Peppers are a hearty and satisfying meal featuring colorful bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese. Baked until tender, they’re a classic comfort food that’s perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers, tops removed and seeded
Filling
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Topping and Garnish
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it is hot enough to cook the stuffed peppers evenly.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Place the cleaned and seeded bell peppers upright in a baking dish, ready to be stuffed.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Then add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
- Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned throughout, breaking it apart with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary to avoid greasiness.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir the cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper into the browned beef mixture. Mix thoroughly to combine flavors evenly.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each bell pepper cavity with the beef and rice mixture, pressing lightly to pack the filling.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil to retain moisture and bake the peppers for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese and Bake Again: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over each stuffed pepper, and bake uncovered for an additional 10–15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from the oven and garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving to add freshness and color.
Notes
- Ground turkey or chicken can be substituted for beef for a lighter option.
- Brown rice or quinoa can replace white rice for added fiber and nutrients.
- Baked stuffed peppers freeze well for up to 3 months; thaw before reheating.
- Serve stuffed peppers with a green salad or garlic bread to complete the meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
