Description
Classic Stuffed Peppers are a hearty and wholesome meal featuring tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This comforting dish is baked to perfection, making it ideal for family dinners or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 and ½ cups tomato sauce, divided
For the Peppers
- 6 large bell peppers
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Cook Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened about 2-3 minutes. Add lean ground beef, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked, around 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat and discard it. Stir in cooked rice and 2 cups of tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if desired.
- Prepare Peppers: Cut a thin slice off the stem end of each bell pepper to remove the top. Remove seeds and membrane inside. If any pepper is unstable, slice a thin layer from its bottom so it stands upright.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into each bell pepper. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Bake Peppers: Bake the peppers in the preheated oven until tender, about 40-45 minutes. To check tenderness, insert a toothpick near the top—if it slides in easily, the peppers are done.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove the peppers from the oven. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the reserved tomato sauce onto the top of each pepper. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over each one. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is melted.
Notes
- Use any color of bell peppers you prefer—green, red, yellow, or orange.
- For a milder flavor, opt for sweet bell peppers.
- Leftover stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- To make this dish vegetarian, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
- Serve with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, baked stuffed peppers, easy dinner, comfort food, mozzarella cheese, bell peppers
