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Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.8 from 122 reviews

Classic Stuffed Peppers feature colorful bell peppers filled with a savory ground beef and rice mixture, topped with melted cheese and baked to perfection. This hearty and comforting dish is easy to customize with your favorite cheese and spice levels, making it a family-friendly meal that’s both satisfying and nutritious.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

  • 4–6 bell peppers (any color – green, yellow, red, orange)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb ground beef (450g, can substitute with ground turkey, chicken, pork, sausage, tofu)
  • 1 medium onion, chopped
  • 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (optional, for spice)
  • 5 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 14.5 ounces fire roasted tomatoes (canned, or substitute diced tomatoes or tomato sauce)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice)

Seasonings & Cheese

  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or a blend)
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For Garnish

  • Fresh chopped parsley
  • Red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat Oven and Boil Water: Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a pot of water to a boil, ensuring there is enough water to submerge the bell peppers.
  2. Prepare Peppers: Wash the bell peppers, cut off the tops, and scoop out the seeds and membranes. If needed, slice a small part off the bottom so they stand upright. Chop the extra pepper tops to cook later (discard the stems).
  3. Blanch Peppers: Blanch the peppers in the boiling water for 5 minutes to soften slightly. Alternatively, roast the peppers for 20 minutes to achieve tenderness.
  4. Arrange Peppers: Lightly oil a baking dish and set the softened peppers upright in the dish.
  5. Sauté Aromatics: Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large pan. Add onions, chopped pepper tops, and jalapeno if using. Cook for 5 minutes until softened.
  6. Add Garlic: Add chopped garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  7. Cook Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cook for 5-6 minutes until fully browned and cooked through.
  8. Combine Ingredients: Stir in fire roasted tomatoes, paprika, oregano, basil, cooked rice, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and remove from heat.
  9. Incorporate Cheese: Stir in half of the shredded cheese into the filling mixture until well combined.
  10. Stuff Peppers: Fill each bell pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture. Top each filled pepper with the remaining shredded cheese.
  11. Bake: Roast the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers reach your desired tenderness and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  12. Serve: Allow stuffed peppers to cool slightly. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes before serving.

Notes

  • For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with tofu or plant-based meat alternatives.
  • Use any color bell peppers for a bright presentation and varied flavor.
  • Blanching softens peppers quickly but roasting adds more depth of flavor.
  • Adjust the level of spice by omitting or adding the jalapeno and red pepper flakes.
  • Cooked rice can be white, brown, or wild depending on preference.
  • Leftover filling can be used for stuffed zucchini or served over rice as a skillet dish.

Keywords: stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, easy dinner recipe, comfort food

Find it online: https://todayquickmeals.com/classic-stuffed-peppers-recipe/