Introduction
These Stuffed Bell Peppers are a hearty, comforting family dinner made with tender bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, vegetables, and plenty of melted cheese. Baked until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly, this classic recipe is easy enough for a weeknight meal and satisfying enough for the whole family.
Ingredients
6 large green bell peppers
1½ lb ground beef
1 small onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked white rice
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
Prepare the Peppers
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash the bell peppers, cut off the tops, and remove the seeds and membranes. Arrange the peppers upright in a lightly greased baking dish.
Prepare the Filling
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and ground beef.
Cook until the beef is browned and no longer pink, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain any excess grease if necessary.
Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to combine.
Stuff the Peppers
Spoon the beef mixture generously into each bell pepper. Arrange them closely in the baking dish.
Cover the dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
Add the Cheese
Remove the foil and sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar evenly over the stuffed peppers.
Return to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted, golden, and bubbly.
Serve
Allow the stuffed peppers to rest for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the flavorful tomato sauce from the bottom of the dish over each pepper.
Recipe Tips
Choose large, firm peppers that can stand upright in the baking dish.
For softer peppers, add a few extra minutes to the covered baking time.
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
For extra flavor, add chopped mushrooms, corn, or additional vegetables to the filling.
Use a combination of mozzarella and cheddar for a rich, golden cheese topping.
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 6
Difficulty: Easy