Easy and Quick Stuffed Bell Peppers
Stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and nutritious dish that can be prepared in under 30 minutes! These vibrant peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, and seasonings, making them a satisfying meal for any day of the week. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe allows you to customize the filling to your taste. Whether you prefer beef, turkey, or a vegetarian option, you can easily adapt this recipe to suit your dietary preferences. Serve with a side salad or some crusty bread for a complete meal that the whole family will love.
Ingredients
- 4 medium bell peppers (any color)
- 1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them upright in a baking dish.
- Cook the Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef (or turkey) until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Mix the Filling: In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the meat mixture into each bell pepper, pressing down gently to pack the filling.
- Add Cheese: Top each stuffed pepper with shredded cheese.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.
Easy and Quick Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
A delicious and simple stuffed bell peppers recipe that’s quick to prepare and packed with flavor, perfect for a nutritious weeknight meal.
Equipment
- Baking dish
- Mixing bowl
- Knife
- Cutting board
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers any color
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can 14.5 oz diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 small onion chopped
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish optional
Instructions
- Prepare Bell Peppers:
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside.
- Cook Filling:
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef or turkey, cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.
- Stuff Peppers:
- Spoon the meat and rice mixture into the bell peppers, filling them completely.
- Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle the tops with shredded cheese, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve hot and enjoy!
- These stuffed bell peppers are a quick and satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare and full of flavor!
Helpful Tips for Cooking
- Choose Your Peppers: Feel free to mix and match colors for a vibrant presentation. Red, yellow, and orange peppers tend to be sweeter than green ones.
- Vegetarian Option: Substitute ground meat with cooked lentils, quinoa, or black beans for a vegetarian filling.
- Add Veggies: Enhance the filling by adding chopped onions, mushrooms, or zucchini for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the stuffed peppers ahead of time and refrigerate them. Just increase the baking time by a few minutes if baking from cold.
- Leftovers: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or oven.
Enjoy your quick and easy stuffed bell peppers!
