Colorful Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe: A Family Favorite Gem

Crafting delectable stuffed bell peppers becomes a culinary adventure that transforms ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

Colorful vegetables and savory proteins dance together inside vibrant pepper shells.

Spices whisper promises of rich, complex flavors waiting to emerge.

Mediterranean influences blend seamlessly with classic comfort food techniques.

Each pepper cradles a mixture promising satisfaction and nutrition in every bite.

Layers of ingredients create a harmonious balance that delights the palate.

Dive into this simple yet impressive dish that will make you the star of any dinner gathering.

Stuffed Bell Peppers That Bring Comfort and Flavor

• Boost Family Dinner Excitement: Transform ordinary ingredients into a colorful, nutritious meal that brings everyone to the table with a delightful, hearty dish everyone will love.
• Master Simple Cooking Techniques: Learn how to perfectly brown meat, mix ingredients, and bake stuffed peppers with minimal kitchen skills, making this recipe perfect for cooking beginners.
• Customize with Endless Variations: Swap ground meat for turkey, add different cheeses, or include unique spices to match your family's taste preferences and keep the recipe fresh and interesting.
• Healthy One-Dish Wonder: Pack multiple food groups into a single, balanced meal with protein-rich meat, nutritious bell peppers, and wholesome rice that supports balanced eating without complicated preparation.

Ingredients Needed to Make Tasty Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Ground Meat: A flavorful and hearty protein that forms the core of the stuffing mixture.

• Bell Peppers: Colorful and nutritious vessels that serve as the edible container for the stuffing.

• Cooked Rice: A filling and binding ingredient that adds texture and substance to the stuffed peppers.
• Diced Tomatoes: Provides moisture and tangy flavor to the meat mixture.

• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Essential spices that enhance and balance the overall taste of the dish.

• Nonstick Spray: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal from the baking dish.
• Foil: Used to cover the peppers during initial baking to retain moisture.

How to Prepare Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ease

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Fire up your oven to a toasty 375°F and give a quick spritz of nonstick spray to your baking dish to prevent any sticky situations.

Step 2: Prepare Bell Pepper Vessels

Slice off the pepper tops and evict all the seeds, positioning the colorful pepper shells upright in the baking dish like little edible boats.

Step 3: Sizzle the Meat

Grab a skillet and dance the ground meat over medium heat, browning it to perfection for 5-7 minutes. Tip out any extra grease to keep things light.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Fusion

• Cooked rice
• Diced tomatoes with their juicy sauce
• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until it’s warmed through and smelling amazing.

Step 5: Stuff Those Peppers

Generously fill each pepper shell with the meat mixture, pressing it in gently but firmly.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Drape the dish with foil and slide it into the oven for 30 minutes. Then uncover and continue baking for another 10-15 minutes until the peppers are tender and irresistible.

Tips for Stuffed Bell Peppers You’ll Want Again

• Choose bell peppers with flat bottoms to help them stand upright in the baking dish without tipping over.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to create healthier or vegetarian versions of the recipe.
• Rinse cooked rice under cold water to prevent clumping and ensure a fluffy texture in the stuffing mixture.
• Add shredded cheese on top during the last 10 minutes of baking for extra flavor and a golden, melted topping.
• Use extra seasoning like paprika or dried herbs to enhance the overall taste and make the dish more exciting.

Creative Variations on Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers: Replace ground meat with plant-based protein like black beans, quinoa, or lentils. Add extra vegetables like corn or zucchini for more nutrition.
• Mediterranean Style: Swap ground meat for ground lamb, use feta cheese, add oregano, and include chopped kalamata olives in the filling for a Greek-inspired version.
• Low-Carb Option: Substitute rice with cauliflower rice or chopped mushrooms. Use ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option and add extra herbs like parsley or basil.
• Spicy Mexican Peppers: Incorporate taco seasoning, use ground beef, add diced green chiles, top with pepper jack cheese, and garnish with fresh cilantro for a zesty southwestern flavor profile.

Pairings That Pair Perfectly with Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Choose a medium-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot that complements the rich, savory meat filling and cuts through the peppers' sweetness.
• Create a light, tangy side salad with mixed greens, cucumber, and a zesty vinaigrette to balance the hearty stuffed peppers.
• Grab a rustic sourdough or garlic bread to soak up the delicious meat and tomato juices, adding texture and extra flavor to the meal.
• Prepare a light quinoa side dish with fresh herbs like parsley and thyme to provide a nutritious and complementary grain option that enhances the overall dining experience.

How to Keep Stuffed Bell Peppers Fresh and Delicious

• Store leftover stuffed bell peppers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for 3-4 days, ensuring the peppers remain sealed to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Place individual peppers on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to retain moisture. Heat on medium power for 2-3 minutes, checking temperature midway to ensure even warming.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Transfer peppers to a baking dish, cover with foil to prevent drying. Warm for 15-20 minutes until internal temperature reaches 165°F, preserving texture and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat for this recipe?

Yes, you can easily substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives for a different flavor profile.

• How do I prevent my stuffed peppers from being watery?

To avoid excess moisture, drain the diced tomatoes well and ensure you’ve drained the fat from the meat completely before mixing ingredients.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use rice without gluten contamination and ensure all spices are certified gluten-free.

• Can I prepare stuffed peppers in advance?

You can assemble the peppers earlier in the day and refrigerate them, just add 5-10 minutes to the cooking time when baking directly from the refrigerator.

Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.9 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Mexican-style stuffed bell peppers deliver a symphony of flavors in this hearty dish. Peppers packed with seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal that delights home cooks and dinner guests alike.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup (185 g) cooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 15 oz (425 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
2. Slice the bell pepper caps off, carefully extract the inner seeds, and position the peppers vertically in the prepared dish.
3. Heat a skillet over medium flame and thoroughly cook the ground meat until it develops a rich, golden-brown color, approximately 5-7 minutes, then eliminate any excess fat.
4. Incorporate the cooked rice, diced tomatoes with their natural juices, and seasonings into the meat, stirring until the mixture is evenly heated and fragrant.
5. Carefully spoon the savory meat and rice blend into each pepper, gently pressing to ensure a compact filling without overstuffing.
6. Shield the dish with aluminum foil and roast in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10-15 minutes until the peppers soften and become slightly wrinkled.
7. Remove from the oven and let the stuffed peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and the filling to set.

Notes

• Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains the same hearty texture and flavor profile.
• Use quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to create a lower-carb option that’s equally delicious and nutritious.
• Choose bell peppers in different colors like red, yellow, and orange to create a visually stunning dish that adds vibrant appeal to your meal presentation.
• Experiment with cheese toppings like mozzarella or feta during the last 5 minutes of uncovered baking for an extra layer of creamy richness.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 45 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 300 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0.2 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg