Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ready for a comforting classic? My stuffed bell peppers recipe, with seasoned ground beef, is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser! Get my secret for perfectly tender peppers.

Stuffed Bell Peppers: The Best Easy Beef Dinner Recipe

June 5, 2025
By Sandra.

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Alright, let's get this show on the road! Stuffed bell peppers... does that ring a bell? (Pun intended!). Seriously though, is there anything more comforting on a chilly evening?

Recipe Introduction: Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

Quick Hook

Ever wondered what to do with those vibrant bell peppers sitting in your fridge? this best stuffed pepper recipe transforms them into a hearty, flavour-packed delight.

It’s basically a hug in a pepper! seriously, this is good, so you can make delicious beef dinner .

Brief Overview

Stuffed bell peppers are a classic comfort food, like a culinary time capsule from your nan's kitchen! while their exact origins are murky, variations pop up all over the world.

These guys are relatively easy to make, taking about an hour from start to finish. this recipe yields 4 servings – perfect for a family dinner.

Main Benefits

Looking for some healthy comfort food? check this out! this recipe is packed with protein, thanks to the healthy beef , and sneaks in a good dose of veggies.

It's perfect for a weeknight meal when you want something satisfying but don't want to spend hours in the kitchen.

What makes these easy stuffed peppers special? honestly, it's the simplicity. no fancy ingredients, just good ol' wholesome goodness.

Getting Started: Grab Your Ingredients

Okay, before we dive in, let's gather our troops – I mean, ingredients!

4 large bell peppers, your choice of colour.
1 tablespoon of olive oil, the good stuff!.

And now for the yummy filling:

1 pound of ground beef , or, go for a leaner option like ground turkey.
1 medium onion, finely chopped – don't cry too much!.
2 cloves of garlic, minced – because everything's better with garlic.
1 cup of cooked rice – brown or white, your call!
A can of diced tomatoes, undrained.
Half a cup of tomato sauce.
Half a cup of shredded cheddar cheese, plus more for topping.
Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and some parsley for a pop of fresh flavour.

And a little tomato sauce for the bottom of the dish.

Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers presentation

Time to Prep Those Peppers!

First things first, preheat your oven to 375° f ( 190° c). this is crucial. then, slice those bell peppers in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds.

Brush them with a little olive oil. easy peasy!

Browning the Beef: The Heart of the Filling

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef . drain off any excess fat – nobody wants greasy peppers! add the onion and garlic and cook until they're nice and soft.

About 5 minutes should do the trick.

Assembling the Filling: The Flavor Fiesta!

Now for the fun part! stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cheese, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.

Mix it all together until it's well combined. if you're using parsley, stir it in now.

This combination of ingredients makes the Best Stuffed Pepper Recipe and you can even use it for some other Beef Recipes Easy .

Stuffing Those Peppers: Get Your Hands Dirty!

Spoon the filling evenly into each pepper half. Don't be shy!

Baking Time: The Grand Finale

Pour the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish. arrange the stuffed bell peppers in the dish. cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

Then, remove the foil, sprinkle on some extra cheese, and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Rest and Serve: The Moment of Truth

Let the peppers rest for a few minutes before serving. This helps the filling set slightly. Serve with a side salad or some crusty bread. Boom! Dinner is served.

Honestly, these healthy beef recipes are amazing because they are so versatile. i mean it is pretty obvious why it is the best stuffed pepper recipe .

Try them tonight! you can forget keto dessert today!

Alright, let's chat about what you'll need to whip up the best stuffed pepper recipe this side of your grandma's kitchen.

Honestly, it's all pretty straightforward. even if you're not exactly gordon ramsay, you can totally nail these!

Ingredients & Equipment

Okay, so before you panic, most of this stuff is probably already in your cupboard. Trust me.

Main Ingredients

We're talking about the heart of our easy stuffed peppers , right? So, listen up:

Bell Peppers : You will need 4 large ones. Any color works. A rainbow looks cool, though!
Ground Beef : Get 1 pound (450g) of it. Look for a good color, not too grey. And don’t get the super lean stuff. A bit of fat is your friend when trying healthy beef recipes .
Cooked Rice : You're gonna need 1 cup (200g) . Day-old rice is the best ! It holds its shape better.
Diced Tomatoes : One can. 14.5 ounces (410g) . Don't drain 'em! That juice is gold.
Tomato Sauce : Get 1/2 cup (120ml) for the filling, and 1 cup (240ml) extra for baking. Trust me, this will take your Beef Dinner to a whole new level.
Cheddar Cheese : You’ll need 1/2 cup (50g) shredded, plus extra for topping. It gives a nice flavor!
Onion : Just 1 medium one, finely chopped.
Garlic : 2 cloves, minced. Because garlic makes everything better. You know?
Olive Oil : 1 tablespoon (15 ml) . For a little shimmer and flavor.
Spices : 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Adjust to taste, darlin'.

Seasoning Notes

Here's where the magic happens!

Italian seasoning: This is the cornerstone. You could mix your own. Basil, oregano, rosemary. Easy peasy.
Aromatics: Onion and garlic, obviously. But consider a pinch of red pepper flakes. Oof! That's how to make Peppers Recipes sing!.
Substitutions: No Italian seasoning? No worries! A mix of dried oregano and basil works a treat.

Equipment Needed

Right, what bits and bobs do you need?

A Large Skillet : For browning that Beef Recipes Easy .
A 9x13 inch Baking Dish : This is really important because this is where the magic happens.
Cutting Board and Chef's Knife: Unless you’re a superhero, these are key.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: For obvious reasons.
Large Spoon: For stirring!

Honestly, you probably already have all of this. if not, improvise! a smaller baking dish works, just adjust cooking time.

If you don’t have measuring spoons, just eyeball it!. i’m not gonna judge you for it, love.

Right then, let's get down to dishing out about stuffed bell peppers ! honestly, who doesn’t love a good beef dinner , especially when it's packed inside a colourful pepper? they're proper comfort food, like a hug on a plate! this best stuffed pepper recipe is a classic for a reason.

It's surprisingly easy to make, even if you're not a whiz in the kitchen. and guess what? you can easily adapt this one to be one of your next healthy beef recipes or even ground beef recipes .

Let's get started, shall we?

Pepper Prep: Your Mise en Place Mission

Before we dive headfirst, bit of mise en place is key. chop your ingredients like you mean it. dice one medium onion finely, mince two cloves of garlic, and half those bell peppers lengthwise after getting rid of the nasty seeds.

Trust me, this saves time later. safety first, though. keep your fingers out of the way. i once sliced right through a shallot and nearly took a digit with it.

Don't be me.

Let's Get Stuffing: A Step-by-Step Guide for Easy Stuffed Peppers

Follow this and it will be one of your next easy stuffed peppers dishes!

Pop your oven on to 375° F ( 190° C) . Lightly brush your pepper halves with 1 tbsp olive oil.
Brown 1 pound (450g) of ground beef in a large skillet. Drain the fat – nobody wants greasy peppers. Add your onion and garlic and cook for about 5 minutes , until they're soft and translucent.
Stir in 1 cup (200g) of cooked rice, one (14.5 ounce/410g) can of diced tomatoes (don't drain 'em!), 1/2 cup (120ml) of tomato sauce, 1/2 cup (50g) of cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper. Mix it up good. If you like, stir in 1/4 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
Spoon that lovely filling evenly into each pepper half. Don't be shy!
Pour 1 cup (240ml) of tomato sauce into the bottom of your 9x13 inch baking dish. Arrange your stuffed bell peppers in there. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes .
Take off the foil, sprinkle the rest of your cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 15 minutes , until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Aim for golden-brown deliciousness.
Let them rest for a bit before serving. This helps everything set.

Pro Tips for Perfectly Stuffed Peppers and Healthy Beef Recipes

Want to take your pepper recipes to the next level? try par-boiling the peppers for 2- 3 minutes to make them softer.

Common mistake? overstuffing! this makes them overflow. make these ahead by prepping the filling and stuffing the peppers a day before.

Then, just bake when you're ready. did you know that bell peppers are packed with vitamin c? so you're practically getting a health boost with every bite! i also enjoy to add a keto dessert afterwards, like a sugar free chocolate mousse!

These tips transform your next beef recipes easy to another level! they may even be the best stuffed pepper recipe that you have ever made! i love making healthy beef during the week for the family.

Right, let's talk about these stuffed bell peppers a bit more! here are some extra tips and tricks, a few cheeky variations, and some serving suggestions to really elevate your best stuffed pepper recipe .

Honestly, it's all about making it your own , innit?

Recipe Notes: Level Up Your Peppers!

Serving Suggestions: Plating, Sides, and Sips

Right, picture this: your easy stuffed peppers , all bubbly and golden, straight from the oven. presentation matters, you know? a simple scattering of fresh parsley goes a long way.

For a bit of fancy, a swirl of balsamic glaze adds a touch of sweetness.

As for sides, a crisp green salad cuts through the richness nicely. think rocket, cucumber, and a light vinaigrette. or, for something more substantial, some roasted mediterranean veggies – courgettes, aubergine, red onion – would be spot on.

Don't forget the drinks! A glass of chilled Pinot Grigio is a classic pairing. If you're feeling fancy, a homemade lemonade with a sprig of mint is super refreshing.

Storage Tips: Keep 'Em Fresh!

Got leftovers? no worries! these healthy beef recipes are even better the next day. just let the stuffed peppers cool completely, then pop them into an airtight container.

They'll happily keep in the fridge for up to three days.

Fancy freezing? go for it! wrap each pepper individually in cling film, then place them in a freezer bag. they'll last for up to two months.

When reheating, let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then bake at 350° f ( 175° c) until warmed through, about 20- 25 minutes.

Don't microwave, or they might get a bit soggy.

Variations: Time to Get Creative!

Want to mix things up? absolutely! for a lighter, healthier option, swap the ground beef for lean ground turkey. suddenly, we're talking about healthy beef .

You could also try adding some chopped mushrooms or spinach to the filling for extra nutrients.

If you're watching your carbs, ditch the rice altogether or sub in cauliflower rice. and, if you fancy a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.

The beauty of these peppers recipes is that they're so versatile.

For a totally different vibe, think about mediterranean flavours. lamb mince, feta cheese, olives, and a sprinkle of oregano... oh my gosh! it's like a holiday in a pepper! and if you are looking for a keto dessert after, maybe try a quick cheesecake bite.

Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite

Okay, let's be real – these stuffed bell peppers are pretty darn good for you. you've got protein from the beef recipes easy , fibre from the veggies and rice, and plenty of vitamins from the peppers themselves.

Plus, they're relatively low in fat and calories. they make a great beef dinner .

Each serving packs a good dose of iron, zinc, and vitamin c, which are all essential for a healthy immune system.

The tomato sauce also provides lycopene, a powerful antioxidant. so, you can tuck in knowing you're doing your body some good! you know?

So there you have it, folks! A few extra pointers to make your Ground Beef Recipes truly shine. Now go get cooking and enjoy! You got this!

Best Stuffed Pepper Recipe: A Delicious Beef Dinner!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I prep these stuffed bell peppers in advance?

Absolutely! You can assemble the stuffed bell peppers a day ahead, cover them tightly with foil, and store them in the fridge. Then, simply bake them as directed when you're ready to eat. This is a total lifesaver for busy weeknights – like having a ready meal from M&S but even better!

What's the best way to store leftover stuffed bell peppers?

Leftover stuffed bell peppers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. You can reheat them in the oven, microwave, or even in a skillet until heated through. They are just as yummy reheated – perfect for lunch the next day!

I'm not a fan of ground beef. What else can I use in my stuffed bell peppers?

No worries, you've got options! Ground turkey or chicken are great substitutes for ground beef. For a vegetarian version of stuffed bell peppers, try using lentils, quinoa, or a mix of chopped vegetables like mushrooms, zucchini, and carrots. It's your dinner party, make it your own!

My bell peppers are always a bit tough after baking. Any tips?

To get perfectly tender bell peppers, try par-boiling them for 2-3 minutes before stuffing. This helps to soften them up a bit. Also, make sure you are baking them covered with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking; this steams the peppers and helps them cook evenly. It’s like giving them a little spa treatment before the main event!

Can I freeze stuffed bell peppers?

Yes, you can freeze cooked stuffed bell peppers for longer storage. Let them cool completely, then wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Just be aware that the texture of the peppers may change slightly upon thawing, but they will still taste delicious. So freeze away, and you've got a meal ready when the mood strikes!

Are stuffed bell peppers healthy? What are the nutritional benefits?

Stuffed bell peppers can definitely be a healthy meal! They're packed with vegetables, a good source of protein (depending on the filling), and offer fibre from the rice and peppers. Using lean ground meat or plant-based alternatives keeps the fat content in check. Also, using brown rice instead of white rice will add a great source of fibre to your meal. Plus, all those colourful peppers are brimming with vitamins and antioxidants – practically a health halo on a plate!