Best Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe: A Savory and Colorful Delight 🌶️🍽️✨
1. Introduction
Welcome to your ultimate guide for creating the best stuffed pepper recipe. Whether you’re searching for a simple stuffed bell peppers for a quick weeknight dinner or a classic stuffed peppers recipe that impresses guests, this recipe has you covered. These stuffed bell peppers are a saucy stuffed peppers favorite with ground beef, rice, and flavorful seasonings, perfect for a custom menu. Discover how to make flawless stuffed peppers that are delicious, nutritious, and eye-catching!
2. Ingredients for the Best Stuffed Pepper Recipe
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef (ideally lean)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish: parsley or cilantro
3. Preparing the Bell Peppers for Stuffing
Prepare the peppers
Begin by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes, ensuring each pepper is hollow and ready to be filled. For easy handling, you can lightly brush the outside with olive oil. To prevent the peppers from bursting, consider blanching them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes as part of your prep process. Place the prepared peppers on a baking dish lined with foil or parchment paper.
4. Making the Filling for the Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Cook the ground beef and vegetables
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until fragrant and translucent. Add the ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika, then cook until browned. Drain excess fat if necessary. Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and cooked rice. Let the filling simmer for 5 minutes so flavors meld beautifully. This forms the savory, hearty core of your stuffed peppers.
5. Stuffing and Baking the Peppers
Fill the peppers
Using a spoon, generously fill each hollowed bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture. Top with shredded cheese to add a gooey, delicious layer. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish. Cover with foil loosely and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, then bake an additional 10 minutes to let the cheese melt and turn golden. The result is a perfectly baked stuffed pepper that’s bursting with flavor.
6. Serving Suggestions for the Best Stuffed Pepper Recipe
Once baked, let the stuffed peppers cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro for brightness. Serve these flavorful stuffed bell peppers with a side salad, crusty bread, or even as part of a Korean ground beef bowl for an international twist. For an extra saucy experience, drizzle with a mild tomato sauce or salsa, elevating your meal to a new level.
7. Storage Tips for Leftover Stuffed Peppers
Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, microwave for 1-2 minutes or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15 minutes. The leftovers still taste delicious and are perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. If you want to prepare this dish in advance, assemble the peppers and refrigerate unbaked, then bake when ready.
8. Health and Nutrition Benefits of the Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This best stuffed pepper recipe offers a balanced combination of protein, vegetables, and carbs, making it a nutritious choice for your family. Using lean ground beef and whole grains like rice adds fiber and essential nutrients. Customize your meal plan with healthier cheese options or incorporate extra veggies like spinach or zucchini to boost the nutritional value further. Looking for more healthy dinner ideas? Visit Thai Red Curry Noodle Soup for inspiration.
9. Conclusion
The best stuffed pepper recipe combines simple ingredients, flavorful spices, and a hearty filling to create a crowd-pleasing dish. Whether you prefer smothered chicken and rice or classic stuffed peppers, this dish is versatile and customizable. Impress your family or guests with this colorful, saucy, and satisfying classic stuffed peppers recipe. Remember to experiment with different cheeses and toppings to make this dish uniquely yours. For more flavorful dinner ideas, explore our collection of dinner recipes and elevate your home-cooked meals today!
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Best Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten-Free, Family-Friendly
Description
Discover the best classic stuffed peppers recipe, a savory and colorful dish that’s perfect for any dinner. Filled with ground beef, rice, and flavorful seasonings, these baked stuffed peppers are a nutritious, eye-catching, and crowd-pleasing meal. Learn how to prepare, stuff, and bake these delicious peppers with easy step-by-step instructions and tips for the perfect presentation.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef (ideally lean)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella)
- 1 can diced tomatoes (14.5 oz)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh herbs for garnish: parsley or cilantro
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing seeds and membranes. Lightly brush the outside with olive oil and blanch in boiling water for 3-4 minutes if desired. Place in a baking dish lined with foil.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant. Add ground beef, season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika, then cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato paste, and cooked rice. Simmer for 5 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat.
- Using a spoon, fill each hollowed pepper with the beef mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
- Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with fresh herbs, and serve with sides like salad or crusty bread.
Notes
- Feel free to customize the cheese with your favorite varieties.
- Blanching peppers helps them stay tender without overcooking during baking.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking, sautéing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 350 Kcal
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 720mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
