Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Easy stuffed bell peppers are about to become your new favorite weeknight dinner, trust me! I remember the first time I made these for Henry and the kids Isabella actually asked for seconds, which never happens with anything that has vegetables as the main star.

There’s something so satisfying about a meal that looks this impressive but comes together with simple ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. These colorful peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese are the perfect balance of healthy and comforting. Plus, they’re naturally portion-controlled, which makes dinner prep so much easier when you’re feeding a family.

What I really appreciate about this recipe is how it transforms basic ingredients into something special without requiring any fancy techniques or hard-to-find items. If you’re looking for more family-friendly dinner ideas, check out my easy chicken and rice stuffed peppers for another delicious variation!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Simple ingredients that you likely have on hand already
• Ready in under 45 minutes from start to finish
• Naturally gluten-free and packed with protein and vegetables
• Perfect for meal prep makes great leftovers throughout the week
• Customizable to fit different dietary needs and taste preferences
• Kid-approved even with all those veggies inside

Ingredients You’ll Need for Stuffed Bell Peppers

Here’s what you’ll need to make these oven baked stuffed peppers:

For the filling:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (or avocado oil)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1½ cups cooked brown rice (quinoa or cauliflower rice work too)
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, one can
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons paprika (adjust to taste)
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste

For assembly:

• 7 large bell peppers, tops and cores removed
• 1 cup shredded cheddar jack cheese
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

How to Make Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Step 1: Prep your peppers

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Cut the tops off your bell peppers and remove all the seeds and membranes inside. I like using a mix of colors – red, yellow, orange, and green – because it makes the dish look so beautiful on the table. Place them cut side up in a baking dish.

Step 2: Cook the filling

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until it softens, about 4-5 minutes. Trust me, taking the time to properly soften that onion makes a huge difference in the final flavor. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute more until fragrant.

Step 3: Brown the beef

Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks. I always use lean ground beef to keep things on the healthier side, but you can absolutely use ground turkey if you prefer. Cook for 5-6 minutes until the meat is no longer pink.

Step 4: Add the rice and seasonings

Stir in your cooked brown rice, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, oregano, and paprika. Let everything simmer together for 4-5 minutes until the sauce reduces slightly. This is when your kitchen starts smelling absolutely incredible! Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Stuff and bake

Spoon the beef mixture generously into each pepper, packing it down slightly. Bake for 10-12 minutes until the peppers are mostly tender but still have a little bite to them.

Step 6: Add the cheese

Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over each pepper and return to the oven for 5-7 minutes more until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

FAQs About Stuffed Bell Peppers

Conclusion

These easy stuffed bell peppers have earned a permanent spot in our weekly dinner rotation, and I’m pretty sure they’ll do the same for your family. They check all the boxes – healthy, delicious, simple to make, and beautiful enough to serve to guests. The best part? You can customize them however you like based on what’s in your fridge.

I’d say give these a try for your next family dinner. The combination of tender peppers, savory beef and rice filling, and melted cheese on top is absolutely irresistible. Can’t wait to hear how yours turn out be sure to tag me on Instagram when you make them!

Recipes You May Like

Looking for more healthy stuffed bell peppers and similar crowd-pleasing dinners? Try these family favorites:

• Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe All the flavors in a cozy soup form
• Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole Another delicious one-dish dinner
• Broccoli Cheese Rice Casserole Comfort food at its finest

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