Description
These delicious stuffed peppers are a wholesome and satisfying meal featuring bell peppers filled with a savory mix of ground beef or turkey, rice, diced tomatoes, and cheese. Baked to perfection, they’re perfect for a comforting dinner that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
Filling
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare Peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a baking dish and arrange the hollowed bell peppers upright inside the dish to get ready for stuffing.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook thoroughly until browned, breaking the meat apart with a spatula. Drain any excess fat if necessary to keep the filling from being greasy.
- Make Filling: Stir in cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Let the mixture simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes to blend flavors. Remove from heat and mix in 1/2 cup of shredded cheese for creaminess.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the prepared filling into each pepper, pressing down gently to pack it well. Generously sprinkle extra shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper for a golden cheesy crust.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and the peppers are tender.
- Serve: Allow the stuffed peppers to cool slightly before serving to ensure the filling sets and is safe to eat.
Notes
- You can substitute quinoa for rice for a different grain option.
- Make it vegetarian by using black beans instead of meat.
- These stuffed peppers reheat well and are freezer-friendly for easy meal prep.
