Description
Welcome a burst of color and flavor onto your dinner table with these Delectable Stuffed Bell Peppers. These vibrant peppers are generously filled with a savory mixture of seasoned rice, ground meat, and classic aromatics, then baked until tender and golden. They’re a satisfying and complete meal all in one beautiful package, perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions. Imagine a beautiful bell pepper, cradling a hearty, flavorful filling, topped with a rich tomato sauce and a sprinkle of melted cheese, ready to be enjoyed.
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and cores/seeds removed
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup yellow onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked white or brown rice
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375F (190C). Add about 1/4 inch of water to the bottom of a 9×13-inch baking dish, this will help steam the peppers.
2. Place the hollowed-out bell peppers upright in the prepared baking dish.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the diced onion for 3 to 4 minutes until it softens.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks until it is fully browned. Drain off any extra fat.
5. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until you can smell its fragrance.
6. Lower the heat to low. Mix in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer for 3 to 5 minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
7. Take the skillet off the heat and stir in 1/2 cup of the shredded cheese.
8. Carefully spoon the beef and rice filling into each bell pepper, gently pressing it down.
9. Tightly cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.
10. Remove the foil. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese over the tops of the peppers. Bake uncovered for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and the peppers are tender.
Notes
Ensure your bell peppers are roughly the same size for even cooking.
Makes sure to add tomato sauce to both the filling and the bottom of the baking dish, as this helps to steam the peppers and keep them moist during baking.
You’ll know the peppers are tender when you can easily pierce them with a fork.
For a slightly nuttier flavor in your rice filling, lightly toast the uncooked rice in a dry skillet for a few minutes before cooking it according to package directions.
- Prep Time: Approximately 30 minutes
- Cook Time: Approximately 45-55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American