Classic Stuffed Peppers for a Cozy Homemade Dinner Delight Recipe

Introduction

Classic stuffed peppers offer a comforting and satisfying homemade dinner that’s full of flavor. This recipe combines seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, all baked inside tender bell peppers topped with melted cheese. It’s a hearty meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

• 4 whole Bell Peppers (can substitute with poblanos or zucchini)
• 1 pound Ground Beef (can be replaced with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative)
• 1 cup Cooked Rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
• 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Tomato Sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
• 1 cup Diced Tomatoes (drained)
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (or individual herbs like oregano and basil)
• Salt, to taste
• Black Pepper, to taste
• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (or cheddar)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (or vegetable/canola oil)
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Step 2: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Rinse and drain them well.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, then add the chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
5. Step 5: Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
6. Step 6: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each bell pepper, filling them evenly.
7. Step 7: Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Pour about 1/4 inch of water into the bottom of the dish to keep the peppers moist.
8. Step 8: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
9. Step 9: Remove the foil, sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese on top of each pepper, and bake uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and golden.
10. Step 10: Allow the peppers to cool slightly, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
• Use different kinds of cheese like cheddar or pepper jack for a flavor twist.
• Try adding chopped vegetables such as zucchini or carrots to the filling for extra texture and nutrition.
• Make the filling ahead of time to save preparation time on a busy evening.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in the oven or microwave until heated through. For longer storage, freeze the unbaked stuffed peppers in a freezer-safe dish, then bake them frozen, adding extra cooking time as needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use other types of peppers?

Yes, you can substitute bell peppers with poblano peppers, or even hollowed-out zucchini for a different flavor and texture.

Do I have to cook the rice before stuffing the peppers?

Yes, the rice should be cooked ahead of time. Using uncooked rice will result in undercooked filling after baking.

Classic Stuffed Peppers for a Cozy Homemade Dinner Delight Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.7 from 70 reviews

Classic Stuffed Peppers are a comforting homemade dinner perfect for cozy evenings. This flavorful dish features bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, baked to perfection and topped with melted cheese. Easily customizable with different proteins or vegetables, it’s a wholesome meal that satisfies every time.

• Author: Mila
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables

• 4 whole Bell Peppers (can substitute with poblanos or zucchini)
• 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Diced Tomatoes (drained)
• 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (for garnish)

Meat & Proteins

• 1 pound Ground Beef (can be replaced with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative)

Grains

• 1 cup Cooked Rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)

Dairy

• 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (or cheddar)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (finely grated)

Pantry & Seasonings

• 1 cup Tomato Sauce (or crushed tomatoes)
• 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning (or individual herbs like oregano and basil)
• 1 tablespoon Olive Oil (or vegetable/canola oil)
• to taste Salt
• to taste Black Pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
2. Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove all seeds. Rinse the peppers under cold water and drain them well to ensure they’re clean and ready to stuff.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the cooked onions and garlic. Cook thoroughly, breaking the meat apart until it is browned and no longer pink.
5. Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to blend flavors and thicken slightly.
6. Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into each prepared bell pepper, filling them generously but without overpacking.
7. Arrange and Prepare for Baking: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Pour about 1/4 inch of water into the bottom of the dish to keep the peppers moist during baking.
8. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes to cook the peppers through and meld the flavors.
9. Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil carefully, sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan cheese evenly over the tops of the peppers, and return to the oven uncovered. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
10. Serve: Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving for a fresh, vibrant touch.

Notes

• You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based meat alternative for different dietary preferences.
• Use brown rice or cauliflower rice in place of white rice to adjust for health or calorie preferences.
• For a spicier kick, add crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the filling mixture.
• Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
• To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, replace the meat with lentils or a plant-based protein and omit the cheese or use vegan cheese alternatives.

Keywords: stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, comfort food, easy dinner, stuffed bell peppers