Description
Classic stuffed bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or turkey, cooked rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese, baked to perfection for a hearty and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- ¾ cup uncooked brown rice (or white rice, 1 ½ cups cooked)
Peppers
- 6 bell peppers, any color
Filling
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¾ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 8-ounce can tomato sauce (¾ cup)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar cheese, 4 ounces), divided
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Cook the rice according to package directions or your preferred cooking method. Once cooked, set the rice aside to cool slightly.
- Prep the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes to prepare them for stuffing.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks. Continue until the meat is browned and fully cooked through. Drain excess grease, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds.
- Combine with Tomato Sauce: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer, stirring occasionally for 5 minutes to combine flavors.
- Mix Rice and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat, then stir in the cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese, mixing thoroughly to combine.
- Stuff the Peppers: Pour ½ cup of water into a baking dish. Stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture and place them upright in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil lightly sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Then remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese on top is lightly browned and the filling is hot throughout. Serve immediately.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey for a leaner option.
- Use either brown or white rice depending on preference; cooking times for rice may vary.
- For added flavor, try adding chopped fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the filling.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, substitute the meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative.
- Be careful not to overcook the peppers so they remain tender but still hold their shape.
