Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious and easy-to-make meal that can be enjoyed any night of the week. This simple dinner is made with ground beef, rice, cheese, and bell peppers, creating a comforting and flavorful combination that is sure to satisfy any appetite!
Whether you’re cooking for yourself or just looking for a quick and easy dinner idea for your family, stuffed bell peppers are a great choice. With just a few simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this stuffed peppers recipe is a great choice for anyone looking for a filling and flavorful meal.
Easy & Inexpensive Dinner Idea: Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and comforting dish that can be made with a few simple ingredients. This easy stuffed peppers recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that won’t break the bank.
To make stuffed bell peppers, all you need is ground beef, rice, cheese, and bell peppers. These ingredients are inexpensive and can be found at most grocery stores. One of the best things about stuffed bell peppers is that they are a complete meal in one dish. The ground beef provides protein, the rice adds carbs, and the bell peppers are a great source of vitamins and minerals. Plus, the cheese adds a delicious creaminess that ties everything together.
This recipe for stuffed bell peppers is a great option for an easy and inexpensive dinner idea. With a few ingredients and a little bit of preparation, you can have a delicious and comforting meal that the whole family will love.
Selecting the Right Bell Peppers
Color and Flavor Varieties: Bell peppers come in a variety of colors, including green, red, yellow, orange, and even purple. Each color has its own unique flavor profile and nutritional benefits. Green bell peppers are the most commonly used in stuffed pepper recipes, but red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter and have a milder flavor. Purple bell peppers are less common but have a slightly bitter taste.
When selecting bell peppers for stuffed peppers, it is important to consider the flavor profile you want to achieve. If you prefer a sweeter and milder flavor, opt for red, yellow, or orange peppers. If you prefer a stronger and more bitter taste, green peppers are the way to go.
Choosing Fresh Bell Peppers: When selecting bell peppers for stuffed peppers, it is important to choose ones that are fresh and firm. Look for peppers that are heavy for their size and have a glossy, smooth skin. Avoid peppers that are soft, wrinkled, or have blemishes, as they may be past their prime.
It is also important to consider the size of the peppers when selecting them for stuffed peppers. Choose peppers that are large enough to hold a generous amount of filling, but not so large that they are difficult to cook evenly. Medium-sized peppers are typically the best choice for stuffed pepper recipes.
Stuffed Peppers Ingredients
Bell peppers– You will need 6 large bell peppers for the base of this hearty recipe. Use any color you have on hand or whatever is less expensive.
Ground beef- 1 pound of ground beef will be cooked up and used for the filling.
Onions– Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped onion to flavor the filling perfectly. You can use 1 tsp of onion powder if you prefer.
Rice– Use 1 cup of cooked rice to be combined with the ground beef for the delicious filling. Measure ½ cup of dry rice, make according to the package directions, to obtain the 1 cup of cooked rice.
Salt– Balance all the incredible flavors in this dish by adding 1 teaspoon of salt.
Garlic– 1 clove of finely chopped garlic will give a nice subtle earthy taste.
Tomato sauce- You need one 15-ounce sized can of tomato sauce. I have used diced tomatoes instead and love that too!
Cheese– Use 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese for the topping. You can use an Italian Style cheese blend too, that tastes equally delicious.
How to Make Stuffed Bell Peppers
Prep
Start with preparing the rice according to the package directions. While that is cooking, dice the onions into thin, small pieces.
Then in a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Add in the diced onions to the beef mixture and continue to cook until the beef is browned. Once cooked through, drain the grease and set the meat aside.
Bell pepper prep
Bring a large pot of water boiling while you prep the peppers.
Next grab the bell peppers and make a circular cut on the top of each, so that the stem is removed, and the opening is large enough to clean out the inside. Remove the peppers seeds and membranes, rinse with water to clean well.
After that, make a thin slice across the bottom, making sure to not cut through the pepper; cutting just enough to give the peppers a flat base, to help them stand up.
Place the bell peppers in the pot of boiling water and let them cook for 5 minutes to soften up. Once done, remove gently with tongs.
Assemble
Get the oven preheating to 350°F while you assemble the peppers.
Then in the skillet the meat is in, add in the cooked rice, salt, tomato sauce, and half the cheese. Heat the mixture for just a few minutes.
Proceed to stuff each pepper with the ground beef mixture and place them upright in a baking dish.
Bake
Cover the pan with foil and place in the preheated oven to bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil at the 45-minute mark and cook for another 15 minutes.
Remove peppers from the oven, sprinkle each with shredded mozzarella cheese, return them to the oven just until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
Variations of Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe
- Vegetarian Options: For those who prefer a meatless option, stuffed bell peppers can easily be made vegetarian. Instead of using ground beef, try using a meat substitute such as crumbled tofu, tempeh, or lentils. These options provide a great source of protein and can be seasoned with similar flavors to ground beef. Additionally, a variety of vegetables can be added to the filling such as mushrooms, zucchini, and eggplant to add more texture and flavor.
- Different Grains: While rice is a popular choice for stuffed bell peppers, other grains can be used as well. Quinoa, couscous, or orzo are great alternatives that can add a different texture and flavor to the dish. For those who prefer a lower carb option, cauliflower rice can also be used.
- Alternate Meat: In addition to ground beef, other meats can be used in the filling. Ground turkey, chicken, or pork can be substituted for the beef, or even a combination of meats can be used. For a seafood twist, shrimp or crab can be added to the filling for a unique flavor profile.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- 6 large bell peppers
- 1 lb ground beef cooked
- 1 TBSP finely chopped onions or 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 cup rice cooked
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 clove garlic finely chopped
- 15 oz tomato sauce or diced tomatoes
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese shredded
Instructions
- Prep: Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Dice the onions into thin, small pieces.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat. Add in the diced onions to the beef mixture and continue to cook until the beef is browned. Drain the grease and set the meat aside.
- Bell pepper prep: Bring a large pot of water boiling while you prep the peppers.
- Grab the bell peppers and make a circular cut on the top of each, so that the stem is removed, and the opening is large enough to clean out the inside. Remove the peppers seeds and membranes, rinse with water to clean well.
- Make a thin slice across the bottom, making sure to not cut through the pepper; cutting just enough to give the peppers a flat base, to help them stand up. Place the bell peppers in the pot of boiling water and let them cook for 5 minutes to soften up. Once done, remove gently with tongs.
- Assemble : Get the oven preheating to 350°F while you assemble the peppers.
- In the skillet the meat is in, add in the cooked rice, salt, tomato sauce, and half the cheese. Heat the mixture for just a few minutes. Stuff each pepper with the ground beef mixture and place them upright in a baking dish.
- Bake: Cover the pan with foil and place in the preheated oven to bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil at the 45-minute mark and cook for another 15 minutes.
- Remove peppers from the oven, sprinkle each with shredded mozzarella cheese, return them to the oven just until cheese is melted. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
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Should peppers be cooked before stuffing?
Yes, cooking the bell peppers to some degree before adding in the filling is necessary. We choose to boil our bell peppers because it’s quick and easy. This softens the bell pepper just enough so that they are easier to cut and eat. Alternately, you can steam the peppers in the microwave by adding ¼ cup water to a microwave safe dish with a lid and cooking for 5 minutes on high.
How long are stuffed bell peppers good for?
If you have left over stuffed bell peppers they should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and they will last 3-4 days.
To reheat, place the stuffed peppers in a microwave-safe dish and heat for 1-2 minutes, or until heated through. You can reheat them in the oven by placing them in a baking dish and heating at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
Which bell pepper is best for stuffing?
You can use any color of bell pepper, they’re all fantastic! If I’m serving this dish for my family I often just use whatever peppers are on sale. It is fun to have a variety of colors though, so it might be worth the extra cost to get two of each color, red, yellow and green.
How do you tell when stuffed peppers are done?
You will know that your stuffed bell peppers have finished cooking when the bell pepper has softened, and the filling has been fully warmed through.
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Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and inexpensive dinner option for when you want something filling and healthy. You’ll love this easy stuffed peppers recipe any night of the week.
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