What shall we dive into today? One of those adaptable, delicious recipes you never tire of—stuffed peppers. Stuffed Peppers where really all you need are bell peppers, with their crisp skins, holding on to a delicious filling, cooked together, as a feast for the eyes and taste! I’ve always been a fan of stuffed peppers, and they always seem to be happily devoured whether it’s a weeknight meal or more fancy affair.
What’s interesting about this recipe, is it’s simplicity, and versatility. You simply start with basic ingredients—bell peppers, ground protein, rice, and a few pantry essentials—and convert them to delicious. Stuffed peppers are a natural serving vessel, that cradle a rich, hearty filling, that’s perfectly satisfying. For me, you can customize them, to match tastes and/or dietary preferences, which can make them very appealing.
One of the greatest things about stuffed bell peppers is that they are very forgiving. You really can’t go wrong with this recipe, even if you’re not the best cook. The steps are simple, and the end result is pleasing to the eye regardless of whether you’ve cooked it correctly. It’s a dish that will make you feel like a culinary genius without having done too much at all.
And we can’t forget the health aspect of this dish. Bell peppers are a great source of vitamins and antioxidants, so this is a healthy meal. When you combine bell peppers with lean protein and whole grains, you’ve created a dish that is good for your body and your soul.
So whether you’re looking for a new meal for your family or a dish to impress guests, these easy stuffed bell peppers are the perfect dish. They are filling, tasty, and infinitely adaptable. So, without further ado, let’s get to the recipe and see why this dish deserves a place in your meal repertoire.
Why this Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
This recipe is a winner for those who want a hearty and delicious meal without the hassle! Here are five reasons why it’s so great :
- It’s Customizable : You can change ingredients to fit your taste or diet (i.e. different grains, proteins, and vegetables).
- It’s Nutritious : As long as you are using fresh ingredients, you are getting vitamins from the bell pepper, and balancing protein and carbohydrates!
- It’s Easy to Put Together : This will have you treading new territory as you go through simple steps that most people can follow, even beginners!
- It’s Family-friendly : Even if the kids don’t like each ingredient, they will love the whole dish!
- It’s Flexible : You can pretty much use this recipe for meal prep or a busy weeknight or a party or holiday!
Useful Tips
- Be picky : This may seem easy but you’ll wanna be choosy about what bell peppers you use. You’ll want to use nice, firm bell peppers, with as flat a base as possible (so your peppers don’t topple over in your baking dish).
- Get a jump start : The rice and filling can be made a day in advance!
- Don’t fill to the brim : Leave a bit of a headspace in the peppers (maybe 1-2 inches) to allow for some expansion in the filling. Otherwise, you could have a mini “stuffed pepper explosion”!
Options and Variations
- Vegetarian : Use lentils or quinoa instead of ground meat.
- Spicy : Add some diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of cayenne pepper to the filling.
- Cheese : Use any cheese you’d like! I would especially recommend feta, pepper jack, or parmesan.
- Low-Carb: Generally we use regular rice in this recipe, but feel free to use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
Make a Healthier Version
For a lighter version of this recipe, make these substitutions :
- Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.
- Use brown rice or cauliflower rice instead of white rice.
- Cut back on cheese, and/or use a lower fat version of cheese.
- Add more vegetables to the stuffing (e.g. spinach, or shredded zucchini).
Closing For Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers
And that’s it! You can see it is an easy dish to make and easy to eat! These stuffed bell peppers are going to be on your menu frequently. Be sure to let us know how your dish turns out, and check out some of our other recipes:
Are you still wondering about something? Take a look at the most common questions we get about this recipe :
Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers
Description
These Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious and satisfying meal that combines flavorful ground meat, rice, and a variety of spices, all stuffed inside vibrant bell peppers and baked to perfection. A hearty, wholesome dish that's sure to impress your taste buds!
Ingredients
Instructions
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Let’s get cooking! Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set them aside.
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In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Toss in the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once browned, stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
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Now, it’s time to stuff those peppers! Spoon the filling into each bell pepper, packing it in gently. Place them in a baking dish and top with shredded cheese. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size 6
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 2037.42kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 132.68g205%
- Saturated Fat 52.1g261%
- Cholesterol 411.36mg138%
- Sodium 1237.68mg52%
- Potassium 2954.17mg85%
- Total Carbohydrate 97.52g33%
- Dietary Fiber 17.29g70%
- Sugars 32.11g
- Protein 115.33g231%
- Vitamin A 22462.53 IU
- Vitamin C 846.79 mg
- Calcium 773.03 mg
- Iron 13.91 mg
- Vitamin D 1.05 mcg
- Vitamin E 15.55 mg
- Vitamin K 64.73 mcg
- Thiamin 0.67 mg
- Riboflavin 1.63 mg
- Niacin 26.86 mg
- Vitamin B6 3.79 mg
- Folate 365 mcg
- Vitamin B12 12.31 mcg
- Pantothenic Acid 5.33 mg
- Phosphorus 1394.81 mg
- Magnesium 214.97 mg
- Zinc 24.99 mg
- Selenium 101.41 mcg
- Copper 0.57 mg
- Manganese 1.88 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
