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
Scale
- 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