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Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed peppers with ground beef and rice are a simple, comforting meal made with everyday ingredients. They’re hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 8
Calories: 225
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 bell peppers
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 medium yellow onion diced
  • 3/4 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp red pepper flakes
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked long grain rice
  • 1/2 cup chopped parsley
  • 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 cup Italian cheese blend divided
  • 2 cups marinara sauce divided

Equipment

  • Baking dish
  • Large skillet
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoon

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven and prepare a baking dish by spreading marinara sauce across the bottom, then slice the bell peppers in half and remove the seeds before arranging them cut side up.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook the diced onion with a portion of salt until it softens and becomes slightly translucent.
  3. Add the ground beef along with seasoning, breaking it into small pieces as it cooks until browned and fully cooked through.
  4. Turn off the heat and mix in marinara sauce, cooked rice, parsley, Parmesan, and part of the shredded cheese until everything is evenly combined.
  5. Spoon the filling evenly into each pepper half, making sure they are filled generously without overflowing.
  6. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper for a melted finish.
  7. Cover the dish tightly and bake until the peppers soften, then uncover and continue baking until the cheese is golden and bubbling.

Notes

You can use any color of bell peppers. Red, yellow, and orange are sweeter, while green peppers have a more savory flavor.
Make sure the rice is fully cooked before mixing. This ensures the filling turns out soft and well combined.
You can swap the rice with quinoa, brown rice, or other grains. This adds variety without changing the structure of the dish.
For extra flavor, add a bit more marinara or herbs to the filling. This helps keep it moist and rich.
Let the stuffed peppers rest for a few minutes after baking. This helps the filling set and makes them easier to serve.