If you’ve been searching for a wholesome, colorful meal that bursts with flavor while remaining delightfully straightforward, this Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe is exactly what you need in your dinner rotation. Stuffed bell peppers bring together savory ground beef, hearty brown rice, zesty tomatoes, and melty cheese all baked inside vibrant, tender bell peppers. It’s a crowd-pleaser that feels cozy and special but is so simple to prepare, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual weekend feasts.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe plays an important role in creating layers of texture and taste, from the juicy peppers that cradle the filling to the aromatic spices that elevate every bite.
- Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds richness and helps soften the onion and garlic for a flavorful base.
- Medium onion (diced): Provides a subtle sweetness and depth to the filling.
- Garlic cloves (minced): Infuses a warm, savory aroma that melds beautifully with the other ingredients.
- Lean ground beef: The hearty protein that makes the stuffing satisfying and meaty.
- Cooked brown rice: Adds a nutty flavor, wholesome texture, and makes the filling more filling without overwhelming richness.
- Diced tomatoes (canned): Introduces a bright, tangy juiciness that keeps the mixture moist.
- Tomato paste: Intensifies the tomato flavor and adds a luscious thickness to the filling.
- Large bell peppers (top and core removed): The beautiful edible vessels that bring color and a slight natural sweetness.
- Shredded cheddar jack cheese: Creates a gooey, savory topping that pulls everything together.
- Fresh parsley (for garnish): Adds a fresh herbal touch and a pop of color at the end.
How to Make Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Peppers
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when your peppers are stuffed and assembled. While the oven warms, carefully cut off the tops and core the bell peppers to create perfect little boats for the filling. Setting this foundation early means everything cooks evenly and comes together smoothly.
Step 2: Cook the Aromatics
Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat until shimmering. Toss in the diced onions and sauté until they soften and turn translucent, which usually takes around 5 minutes. Then add the minced garlic—just a minute more is enough to release its fragrant qualities without burning, laying a delicious groundwork for the filling.
Step 3: Brown the Ground Beef
Add the lean ground beef to the pan and break it apart with your spatula as it cooks. The goal is to get an even, nice brown color on all the pieces, sealing in the meat’s juices. This step creates that rich, savory flavor essential for a deeply satisfying stuffing.
Step 4: Combine the Filling Ingredients
Pour in the cooked brown rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato paste. Stir everything thoroughly to blend the flavors. At this point, seasoning plays a vital role—sprinkle oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper to taste before letting the mixture simmer just until it thickens slightly. This step ensures your filling is packed full of savory goodness and perfectly balanced moisture.
Step 5: Stuff the Peppers
Carefully spoon the beef and rice mixture into each prepared bell pepper, packing it gently but fully. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish—this keeps the filling intact during baking and helps the peppers cook evenly.
Step 6: Bake the Peppers
Slide the dish into your oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, until the peppers soften but still hold their shape. This stage gives the filling a chance to meld with the pepper’s natural juices, creating a harmonious bite that’s both tender and flavorful.
Step 7: Add the Cheese and Finish Baking
Once the peppers are tender, pull the dish from the oven and sprinkle a generous cup of shredded cheddar jack cheese over the top of each filled pepper. Return them to the oven for another 5 to 7 minutes to melt the cheese to bubbly, golden perfection, adding a luscious finishing touch that everyone loves.
How to Serve Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of fresh parsley is a simple way to brighten the dish visually and enhance its flavor with a mild, fresh herbal note. It also adds a lovely pop of green against the warm colors of the peppers and melted cheese.
Side Dishes
Serving these stuffed peppers with a side like a crisp green salad, roasted vegetables, or even a light yogurt-based sauce cuts through the richness beautifully and rounds out the meal with some crunchy or creamy textures.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, you can slice the peppers in half after baking for easier eating or place each stuffed pepper on a bed of lightly sautéed greens. Another idea is to offer an array of colorful bell peppers and let everyone choose their favorite shade to personalize their meal.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover stuffed bell peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors deepen overnight, making the leftovers just as tasty—if not more—than the day they were made.
Freezing
You can freeze the stuffed peppers after baking but before adding the cheese topping. Wrap each pepper tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen peppers maintain good texture and flavor for up to 2 months.
Reheating
To reheat refrigerated leftovers, place them in a baking dish and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating. For a quick option, microwaving on medium for a few minutes works well, just cover to keep moisture in.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of meat in this recipe?
Absolutely! Ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat substitute can work wonderfully in this Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe. Just adjust cooking times as needed and season accordingly to complement the protein.
Is it necessary to precook the rice before stuffing the peppers?
Yes, cooking the rice in advance is important since it adds texture and absorbs the flavors from the filling. Using pre-cooked rice ensures the rice is tender and the peppers cook evenly.
Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Definitely! Swap the ground beef for cooked lentils, black beans, or a mixture of sautéed mushrooms and quinoa to keep the filling hearty but meat-free. Add extra spices for flavor depth.
What if I don’t have cheddar jack cheese?
You can substitute with any melting cheese you prefer, like mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or even a sharp white cheddar. The cheese adds richness and binds the filling, so feel free to experiment with your favorites.
How do I keep the bell peppers from getting too soft?
To maintain some crunch, bake the peppers for less time initially before adding the filling and cheese, or choose firmer, fresh peppers. Avoid overcooking to preserve their texture.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe is a beautiful blend of flavor, color, and comfort that’s sure to become a go-to favorite in your kitchen. Its straightforward preparation means you spend less time fussing and more time enjoying a warm, satisfying meal with loved ones. Give it a try and watch how it brightens up your dinner table!
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Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 7 stuffed bell peppers, serves 7
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
A wholesome and flavorful recipe for Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, brown rice, tomatoes, and aromatic spices, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheddar jack cheese. This comforting dish is perfect for a nutritious family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Stuffing Mixture
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1½ cups cooked brown rice
- 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes (canned)
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Bell Peppers & Topping
- 7 large bell peppers, tops and cores removed
- 1 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
- Fresh parsley, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the right temperature for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pan with the onions and garlic. Cook until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spatula, about 6-8 minutes, ensuring even cooking with no pink remaining.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in the cooked brown rice, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, dried oregano, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Continue cooking the mixture until it slightly reduces and thickens, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stuff Peppers: Carefully fill each prepared bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it gently. Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish to prevent spilling.
- Bake Peppers: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 10–12 minutes, until the bell peppers are tender but still hold their shape.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle shredded cheddar jack cheese evenly on top of each pepper. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the peppers from the oven, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm for a hearty and delicious meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To reheat, bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes or until warmed through.
- Add your favorite herbs or spices like cumin or chili powder for a different flavor profile.
