Description
These colorful, delicious stuffed bell peppers are packed with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese. Roasted to perfection and topped with fresh parsley, they’re an easy, hearty meal the whole family will love!
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup uncooked brown rice (or 1 ½ cups cooked white rice)
- 6 bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
- 2 tsp olive oil
- ¾ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce (¾ cup)
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar), divided
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Cook the rice according to package instructions and set it aside to cool.
- Prep the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess grease, then stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Combine Ingredients: Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the cooked rice and half the shredded cheese.
- Stuff the Peppers: Pour ½ cup of water into the bottom of a baking dish. Stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture and arrange them in the dish. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake: Cover with lightly greased aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 5 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm. Enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: You can prep and stuff the peppers a day ahead — just cover and refrigerate until ready to bake.
- Switch the Protein: Ground turkey or chicken is a great alternative to beef for a lighter version.
- Rice Alternatives: Swap rice with quinoa, cauliflower rice, or farro for variety.
- Cheese Choices: Mozzarella melts beautifully, but cheddar, Monterey Jack, or parmesan also work well.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes