Description
Delicious and hearty stuffed bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef or turkey, rice, tomatoes, and melted cheese, baked to perfection for a comforting family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Rice
- ¾ cup uncooked brown rice (or white rice, 1 ½ cups cooked)
Peppers
- 6 bell peppers, any color
Filling
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- ¾ cup finely chopped yellow onion
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 8-ounce can tomato sauce (¾ cup)
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (or cheddar cheese, 4 ounces), divided
Instructions
- Cook the Rice: Cook the rice according to package directions or your preferred cooking method. Once cooked, set aside to cool slightly.
- Prep the Peppers: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to prepare them for stuffing.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it apart as it cooks, and cook until browned and fully cooked through. Drain any excess grease, then add the minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds to release its aroma.
- Combine with Tomato Sauce: Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to blend flavors.
- Mix Rice and Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the cooked rice along with half of the shredded cheese, mixing everything thoroughly.
- Stuff the Peppers: Pour ½ cup of water into a baking dish to ensure the peppers stay moist while baking. Fill each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture and arrange them upright in the baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil lightly sprayed with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Bake for 30 minutes, then remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese topping is lightly browned and the filling is hot and bubbling. Serve immediately.
Notes
- Use any color of bell peppers for a vibrant presentation.
- Ground turkey is a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- For extra flavor, consider adding chopped fresh herbs like basil or parsley to the filling.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated thoroughly before serving.
- Substitute mozzarella with cheddar or your preferred melting cheese.
