Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are hearty, satisfying, and full of flavor. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a cozy weekend meal, or something to impress guests, stuffed peppers can easily check all the boxes. The best part? You can customize them in so many ways to suit your taste! You can stuff them with rice, quinoa, ground meat, beans, vegetables, and even cheese. There’s no wrong way to do it, which is why this dish is perfect for creative cooks.
The Pepper
The bell pepper is naturally sweet and balances perfectly with the savory filling. Its vibrant colors (red, yellow, orange, and green) make any plate look beautiful. Plus, they’re packed with vitamin C, making them not only tasty, but also nutritious.
Creative Filling Ideas
Now comes the fun part—choosing the filling! Here are a few ideas:
Classic Ground Beef & Rice: This traditional combo is always a winner. Brown the beef, cook some rice, and mix them together with onions, garlic, and spices. Add some tomato sauce to tie it all together before stuffing the peppers.
Veggie Delight: For a lighter option, you can fill your peppers with quinoa, black beans, corn, and a blend of your favorite veggies.
Mediterranean Magic: If you’re craving something fresh and flavorful, try a Mediterranean-inspired filling with couscous, feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes. A sprinkle of oregano and a drizzle of olive oil will transport you straight to the Mediterranean coast!
Chicken and Spinach: For a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken and spinach with a little ricotta or mozzarella make for a creamy, protein-packed filling. A dash of nutmeg adds a hint of warmth.
Baking Time
Once you’ve stuffed your peppers with the perfect filling, it’s time to pop them in the oven. Cover the peppers with foil to keep them moist, and bake at 425°F for about 30 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the peppers are tender, and the filling is hot and bubbly. If you like a little extra crispy cheese on top, you can remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking.
Ingredients:
6 medium bell peppers (any color: red, yellow, orange, or green)
1 lb ground beef (you can substitute with turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat)
1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or quinoa)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 dash of cinnamon
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of both)
Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
Prepare the Peppers:
Preheat your oven to 425°F
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
2. Cook the Filling:
In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine and let everything simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
3. Stuff the Peppers:
Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it down gently. Make sure to fill each pepper to the top and mound a little extra filling on top.
4. Bake the Stuffed Peppers:
Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and add a 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
5. Add the Cheese:
Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Serve and Enjoy:
Once the cheese is golden and melted, remove the stuffed peppers from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Serve your stuffed peppers with a side of fresh salad, crusty bread, or your favorite dipping sauce!
Why You'll Love Stuffed Peppers
There are so many reasons to love stuffed peppers. They’re:
Customizable: You can use whatever ingredients you have on hand and tailor them to your dietary preferences.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Stuffed peppers store well in the fridge, making them a great option for meal prep. You can even freeze them for later!
Kid-Friendly: Kids love stuffed peppers because they’re like little edible cups full of flavor. You can even let them help with the filling for a fun family activity.
Healthy and Balanced: With veggies, protein, and grains, stuffed peppers are a complete meal in one. Plus, they’re full of nutrients to keep you feeling good.
A Dish for Every Occasion
Whether you're cooking for yourself, your family, or a group of friends, stuffed peppers are always a hit. They’re versatile, comforting, and most importantly—delicious! So next time you're in the mood for something hearty and satisfying, give these stuffed peppers a try.
Happy cooking, and enjoy every delicious bite! 🍽️
Do you have a favorite filling combination? Let me know in the comments!
Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 6 medium bell peppers (any color: red, yellow, orange, or green)
- 1.25 lb ground beef (you can substitute with turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or quinoa)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 dash of cinnamon
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend of both)
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 425°F. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Cook the Filling: In a large skillet, heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well to combine and let everything simmer for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
- Stuff the Peppers: Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it down gently. Make sure to fill each pepper to the top and mound a little extra filling on top.
- Bake the Stuffed Peppers: Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and add a 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
- Add the Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5–10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Once the cheese is golden and melted, remove the stuffed peppers from the oven. Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve your stuffed peppers with a side of fresh salad, crusty bread, or your favorite dipping sauce!
