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
- 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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F and lightly coat a baking dish with cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Slice the bell pepper caps off, carefully extract the inner seeds, and position the peppers vertically in the prepared dish.
- 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.
- Incorporate the cooked rice, diced tomatoes with their natural juices, and seasonings into the meat, stirring until the mixture is evenly heated and fragrant.
- Carefully spoon the savory meat and rice blend into each pepper, gently pressing to ensure a compact filling without overstuffing.
- 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.
- 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