Description
These Savory Stuffed Bell Peppers are a heartwarming and completely satisfying meal that’s as beautiful as it is delicious. Packed with a savory beef and rice filling, tender bell peppers, and topped with melted mozzarella cheese, they are a weeknight dinner win that even picky eaters will adore.
Ingredients
4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small yellow onion, finely diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked white rice
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
1 tbsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp garlic powder
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Salt and black pepper to taste
Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
To begin, preheat your oven to 375F (190C) and arrange your prepared bell peppers in a baking dish. Next, brown the ground beef and onion in a skillet, then drain any excess fat. Stir in the garlic, seasonings, cooked rice, half of the tomato sauce, and half a cup of mozzarella cheese. Pour the rest of the tomato sauce into the bottom of the baking dish around the peppers. Generously fill each pepper with the beef mixture. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes, or until the peppers are tender. Finally, remove the foil, top with the remaining mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly.
Notes
To check if the peppers are tender, gently insert a fork into the side of one. It should go in easily without much resistance.
Pack the beef mixture firmly into the peppers to ensure they hold their shape and are well-filled.
The layer of tomato sauce at the bottom of the baking dish not only adds flavor but also helps prevent the peppers from sticking to the dish.
If you like your cheese a little more browned and bubbly, you can switch the oven to the broil setting for the last minute or two of cooking, watching very carefully to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American