Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Introduction

Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers are a comforting and flavorful meal that’s perfect for weeknight dinners. Filled with seasoned beef, rice, and melted cheese, these peppers offer a satisfying twist on a classic dish. Easy to prepare and bake, they make a great family-friendly option.

Ingredients

• 6 large bell peppers
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 ½ cups cooked rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
2. Step 2: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Arrange the peppers upright in the baking dish. Remove the stems from the tops and dice them; set aside.
3. Step 3: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, diced pepper tops, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
4. Step 4: Add the ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 6 to 8 minutes.
5. Step 5: Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes until well combined. Remove from heat and stir in ½ cup mozzarella and all the Parmesan cheese.
6. Step 6: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into the prepared peppers.
7. Step 7: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the tops with the remaining ½ cup mozzarella, and bake uncovered for another 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Step 8: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, add a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
• You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
• Try using quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of white rice for a low-carb variation.
• To add some vegetables, mix in diced mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach with the beef mixture before stuffing the peppers.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven for about 15-20 minutes or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers a day in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. Bake them fresh when ready to serve.

Do I have to precook the rice before stuffing?

Yes, the rice should be fully cooked before mixing it with the beef and stuffing the peppers to ensure it cooks evenly inside the baking dish.

Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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This Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers recipe features bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of lean ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and Italian seasonings, topped with melted mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Baked to perfection, this hearty and comforting dish makes for an impressive yet easy weeknight dinner.

• Author: rami
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American-Italian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Peppers

• 6 large bell peppers

Beef Mixture

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1 ½ cups cooked rice
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cheese & Garnish

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Fresh chopped parsley, for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat and Prepare Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish. Slice the tops off the bell peppers, remove seeds and membranes, and arrange the peppers upright in the baking dish. Dice the removed pepper tops and set aside.
2. Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion, reserved chopped pepper tops, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Cook Ground Beef: Add the lean ground beef to the skillet with the aromatics. Cook until the beef is browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks, about 6 to 8 minutes.
4. Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes to blend flavors. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in half the mozzarella cheese and all the Parmesan cheese.
5. Stuff Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into each prepared bell pepper in the baking dish.
6. Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes to cook the peppers through and meld the filling flavors.
7. Add Remaining Cheese and Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the stuffed peppers, and return the dish to the oven. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve: Garnish the baked stuffed peppers with fresh chopped parsley and serve warm.

Notes

• Use lean ground beef to reduce fat content while maintaining flavor.
• Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice for convenience.
• You can substitute mozzarella with another melting cheese like cheddar or provolone if preferred.
• Make the dish ahead and refrigerate before baking; just add extra baking time if baking from cold.
• For a spicier version, add crushed red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the beef mixture.
• Use a mix of colored bell peppers for a vibrant presentation.

Keywords: Ground beef stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, stuffed bell peppers recipe, easy stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, Italian stuffed peppers, comfort food