The Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe is a delicious and wholesome meal that combines vibrant bell peppers with flavorful fillings. These stuffed peppers can be made with ground meat, rice, and savory seasonings for a classic version, or you can opt for a vegetarian twist using beans, quinoa, or vegetables.
The dish is versatile, easy to prepare, and perfect for family dinners or gatherings. Whether baked with cheese or topped with fresh herbs, this Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe is sure to satisfy everyone at the table.
Preparation and Cooking Time
One of the best things about making stuffed bell peppers is that it doesn’t take too long to prepare. Here’s a breakdown of the time required:
- Preparation Time: 20 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
This means you can have a hearty meal ready in about an hour, making it an excellent choice for weeknight dinners or special family meals.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Easy Cooking
Before you start, having the right tools will make the process smooth and hassle-free. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Large baking dish: To hold the stuffed peppers securely while baking.
- Cutting board and sharp knife: For slicing the bell peppers and chopping ingredients.
- Mixing bowls: To combine the filling ingredients.
- Skillet or saucepan: For cooking the filling before stuffing the peppers.
- Spoon or spatula: To mix and stuff the peppers with the prepared filling.
- Aluminum foil: To cover the peppers while baking to ensure even cooking.
Choosing the Right Bell Peppers
Bell peppers come in different colors, including red, green, yellow, and orange. Each type has a slightly different taste. Red bell peppers are the sweetest, while green ones have a more robust, slightly bitter flavor. Yellow and orange peppers provide a milder sweetness. For a well-balanced dish, you can mix different colors to enhance both taste and visual appeal.
Ingredients for Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 cup quinoa or cooked lentils
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese or vegan cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
For a creative twist, you might also enjoy trying Fajita Stuffed Chicken Breast, which offers a flavorful stuffed dish with a Tex-Mex flair.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Preparing the Bell Peppers
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash the bell peppers thoroughly and cut off the tops.
- Remove the seeds and membranes from inside.
- Lightly brush the outer surface with olive oil for a slight charred flavor.
- Place them upright in a baking dish.
Step 2: Preparing the Filling
For Classic Stuffed Peppers:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add chopped onions and garlic, and sauté until softened.
- Add ground beef or turkey and cook until browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, cooked rice, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Let it simmer for 5 minutes to absorb flavors.
For Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add onions and garlic, and sauté until fragrant.
- Stir in black beans, cooked quinoa or lentils, diced tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
- Cook for a few minutes until well combined.
Step 3: Stuffing and Baking the Peppers
- Spoon the prepared filling into each bell pepper, pressing gently to pack them.
- Pour a small amount of tomato sauce over each stuffed pepper for extra moisture.
- Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese melts and turns golden.
- Remove from the oven and let them rest for a few minutes before serving.
Tips & Serving Suggestions
- Parboil the peppers for 3–5 minutes before stuffing if you like a softer texture.
- Don’t overstuff—leave room for the filling to expand slightly during baking.
- Add a splash of broth or tomato sauce to the baking dish for extra moisture.
- Use leftover rice or quinoa to cut down prep time.
You can also enjoy a similar Ground Beef and Peppers Recipe for another hearty and flavorful meal idea.
Creative Serving Ideas
Stuffed bell peppers are a complete meal on their own, but you can serve them with these tasty sides:
- Garlic bread: for a crunchy and buttery contrast
- Side salad: fresh greens balance the rich filling
- Roasted vegetables: for more wholesome goodness
- Mashed potatoes: creamy and comforting
Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: 300–350 (depending on meat/vegetarian option)
- Protein: 20g (for meat version) / 15g (for vegetarian version)
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 12g
- Fiber: 8g
Storing and Reheating Stuffed Peppers
- Refrigeration: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap each pepper in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.
- Reheating: Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes or microwave for 2-3 minutes until warmed through.
FAQs
Q. What do you stuff a bell pepper with?
Stuffed bell peppers can be filled with ground meat, rice, beans, vegetables, quinoa, or couscous, along with cheese, herbs, and spices.
Q. What fillings can you put in stuffed peppers?
Fillings can include ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken), rice, beans, vegetables (like mushrooms and zucchini), cheese, and seasonings like garlic, cumin, and paprika.
Q. Do you need to boil peppers before stuffing?
Boiling is optional. You can either parboil for a softer texture or stuff and bake raw peppers.
Q. Do peppers have to be cooked before stuffing?
No, peppers don’t need to be cooked before stuffing. You can stuff them raw and bake them. However, pre-cooking can soften them faster.
Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
Method
- Prepare the Peppers: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash bell peppers and remove tops, seeds, and membranes. Brush the outer surface with olive oil and place them upright in a baking dish.
- Prepare the Filling (for both versions):
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions and garlic until softened.
- For classic: Add ground meat, cook until browned, then stir in diced tomatoes, rice, seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- For vegetarian: Stir in beans, quinoa or lentils, diced tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few minutes.
- Stuff and Bake: Spoon the filling into each bell pepper. Pour tomato sauce over each pepper and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and golden.
