Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice Recipe
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4.7 from 25 reviews
Classic stuffed bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, baked to tender perfection and optionally topped with melted cheese for a comforting, flavorful meal.
Total Time:1 hour 5 minutes
Yield:4 servings
Ingredients
Vegetables
4 large bell peppers (any color)
1 small onion, chopped
Meat and Dairy
1 pound ground beef
1 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Pantry Items
1 cup cooked rice
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
Instructions
Prepare the peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers upright in a baking dish to keep them stable for stuffing and baking.
Cook the filling: In a skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef along with the chopped onion until the meat is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain any excess fat from the skillet to reduce greasiness.
Combine ingredients: Stir the cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the browned beef and onion mixture. Mix everything thoroughly to blend the flavors evenly.
Stuff the peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each hollowed-out bell pepper, packing it down slightly to ensure they are well filled. If using, sprinkle shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper for a melty topping.
Bake the peppers: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil to trap steam and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving warm as a delicious main course meal.
Notes
Use any color bell peppers; red, yellow, or orange peppers add a sweeter flavor compared to green.
For a healthier version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Pre-cook the rice a day ahead or use leftover rice to save time.
If you prefer vegetarian, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or mushrooms and omit cheese or use a plant-based alternative.
To make the peppers softer, you can parboil them for 5 minutes before stuffing and baking.
Adding extra herbs like parsley or basil can enhance the flavor.
