The Tastiest Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe for Cozy Dinners

Crafting delicious stuffed bell peppers promises a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into something extraordinary.

Colorful peppers become vessels for a mouthwatering mixture of savory fillings.

Seasoned rice, tender ground beef, and melted cheese create a perfect harmony of flavors.

Weeknight dinners never looked so tempting with this simple yet impressive dish.

Minimal prep work means you can have a gourmet meal on the table in under an hour.

Nutritious and satisfying, these peppers will become an instant favorite at your dinner table.

Dive in and watch everyone ask for seconds!

Why Stuffed Bell Peppers Will Warm Your Soul

• Conquer Complexity: This recipe transforms a seemingly complicated dish into a straightforward cooking adventure that even novice chefs can master with confidence.
• Pack Nutritional Power: Stuffed bell peppers deliver a balanced meal loaded with protein from ground beef, complex carbohydrates from rice, and vitamins from colorful bell peppers.
• Customize with Creativity: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping ground beef for turkey, adding different spices, or incorporating vegetables to match personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Family Dinner Champion: A crowd-pleasing dish that brings everyone together, offering a complete meal in one delicious pepper package that kids and adults will love equally.

Ingredients for Comforting Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Bell Peppers: Fresh vegetables that serve as the edible container for the savory stuffing.
• Ground Beef: A protein-rich meat that creates the hearty base of the stuffing.
• Rice: A staple grain that adds texture and substance to the filling.

• Salt, Black Pepper, Garlic Powder, Paprika: Spices that provide depth and complexity to the dish's overall flavor profile.
• Onions: Aromatic vegetables that add sweetness and depth to the meat mixture.
• Tomato Sauce: A rich sauce that moistens and binds the stuffing ingredients together.

• Olive Oil: A cooking fat used for sautéing and greasing the baking dish.
• Shredded Cheese: A melty topping that adds richness and golden color to the finished dish.
• Aluminum Foil: Used to cover the baking dish and help steam the peppers while cooking.

How to Make Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers at Home

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish with olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Prepare Bell Pepper Vessels

Thoroughly wash bell peppers and slice off their tops. Remove seeds and membranes to create perfect stuffing containers.

Step 3: Sauté Aromatic Base

Heat olive oil in a large skillet and cook diced onions until they become soft and translucent, releasing their sweet fragrance.

Step 4: Brown The Meat

Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles. Cook until the meat is completely browned with no pink remaining.

Step 5: Build Flavor Profile

• Uncooked rice
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Garlic powder
• Paprika

Stir everything until well combined and evenly distributed.

Step 6: Create Savory Sauce

Pour tomato sauce into the meat mixture, stirring to create a rich and cohesive filling that will make taste buds dance.

Step 7: Stuff The Peppers

Carefully fill each bell pepper with the seasoned meat and rice mixture. Press down gently to pack the filling tightly.

Step 8: Arrange For Baking

Place the stuffed peppers upright in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they stand tall and proud.

Step 9: Initial Baking

Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes until peppers become tender and the filling is fully cooked.

Step 10: Add Cheesy Topping

Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese over the peppers. Return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and turns golden brown.

Step 11: Rest And Serve

Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes. Serve hot, optionally garnishing with fresh herbs for an extra burst of flavor.

Tips for Perfectly Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Prevent Soggy Peppers: Choose firm, thick-walled bell peppers that stand upright and won't collapse during baking.
• Boost Flavor Depth: Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or red wine to the meat mixture for extra richness and complexity.
• Make It Vegetarian: Swap ground beef with quinoa, lentils, or black beans for a protein-packed meat-free version.
• Control Rice Texture: Pre-cook rice slightly or use day-old rice to prevent a mushy filling and maintain ideal consistency.
• Freeze for Later: Assemble stuffed peppers in advance, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months for quick future meals.

Flavorful Stuffed Pepper Variations to Try

• Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffers: Replace ground beef with protein-packed quinoa and black beans, adding diced zucchini and corn for extra nutrition and color.
• Mediterranean Greek Style: Swap ground beef for lamb, incorporate feta cheese, oregano, and kalamata olives, then top with tzatziki sauce for a Mediterranean flair.
• Spicy Southwest Peppers: Use ground turkey, add jalapeños, mix in southwestern spices like cumin and chili powder, then top with pepper jack cheese and fresh cilantro.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Option: Substitute rice with riced cauliflower, use ground chicken, include spinach, and garnish with a light sprinkle of parmesan cheese for a low-carbohydrate alternative.

What to Serve with Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Enhance Flavor Pairing: Match the hearty stuffed bell peppers with a robust red Cabernet Sauvignon that complements the rich beef and tomato sauce, cutting through the dish's savory depth.
• Complementary Side Dish: Serve with a crisp Greek salad featuring cucumber, feta, and kalamata olives to provide a refreshing contrast against the warm, meaty peppers.
• Texture Balance Companion: Add garlic bread with a crunchy exterior and soft interior to soak up the delicious sauce and provide an additional carbohydrate element to the meal.
• Wine Alternative Suggestion: For non-wine drinkers, try a craft amber ale with malty undertones that harmonizes with the beef's richness and adds a subtle complexity to the dining experience.

Smart Storage for Stuffed Bell Pepper Leftovers

• Store leftover stuffed bell peppers in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Seal tightly to prevent moisture and maintain freshness.
• Wrap individual peppers in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2-3 months for future quick meals. Label with the date to track storage time.
• Warm refrigerated peppers in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore their original texture and flavor. Avoid microwave reheating to prevent soggy peppers and maintain their crisp exterior.
• Assemble stuffed peppers in advance and store unbaked in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before cooking.

Common Questions About Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Can I use different types of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat for a different flavor profile.

• Is it necessary to use rice in the stuffing?

No, you can replace rice with quinoa, couscous, or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option.

• How do I prevent the peppers from falling over in the baking dish?

Arrange the peppers tightly together or use a deep baking dish that helps support them upright during cooking.

• Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the stuffed peppers in advance and refrigerate them before baking. Just add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time when baking from cold.

Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Savory Mexican-style Stuffed Bell Peppers bring colorful comfort to dinner tables with layers of zesty ground beef, rice, and melted cheese. Packed with bold flavors and simple ingredients, these peppers offer a delightful meal you can easily craft in your kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked rice

Seasoning and Spices:

• 2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp paprika

Additional Ingredients:

• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1/2 cup diced onions
• 1/2 cup shredded cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
2. Thoroughly wash bell peppers and slice off their tops, removing seeds and membranes to create hollow vessels for stuffing.
3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and sauté diced onions until translucent and fragrant.
4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbles and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
5. Stir in uncooked rice, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika, mixing the ingredients until well combined.
6. Pour tomato sauce into the meat mixture, stirring to create a cohesive and flavorful filling.
7. Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the seasoned meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack the filling.
8. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in the prepared baking dish.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes until peppers are tender.
10. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese over the peppers, and return to the oven for an additional 5 minutes until cheese melts and becomes golden.
11. Allow peppers to rest for 5 minutes before serving hot, garnishing with fresh herbs if desired.

Notes

• Pepper Selection Matters: Choose bell peppers with thick, sturdy walls that stand upright and have a flat bottom for stable baking.
• Rice Prep Tip: Rinse uncooked rice thoroughly to remove excess starch, ensuring a fluffy and separate texture inside the stuffed peppers.
• Vegetarian Swap: Replace ground beef with plant-based alternatives like crumbled tofu, lentils, or quinoa for a protein-packed vegetarian version.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare stuffed peppers in advance and refrigerate, then bake when ready to serve, making meal planning easier and more convenient.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 404
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 550 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg