Description
Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef is a warm, comforting, and easy-to-make dinner featuring vibrant bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, aromatic spices, and tender rice. This hearty and family-friendly dish offers a delightful combination of flavors and textures, perfect for weeknight meals with minimal cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 large bell peppers (red, green, or yellow)
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Protein and Grains
- 1 lb ground beef (80/20 lean-to-fat ratio)
- 1 cup cooked long-grain white or brown rice
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
Seasonings
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian herbs (dried oregano, basil, thyme blend)
Instructions
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Wash the bell peppers thoroughly. Slice off the tops and carefully remove seeds and membranes to create hollow shells ready to be stuffed. Set aside.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and minced garlic until soft and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking the meat apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Combine Ingredients: Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, paprika, and Italian herbs. Let the mixture simmer briefly for flavors to meld, then remove from heat.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each hollowed pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture, pressing down lightly to pack the filling firmly.
- Bake and Melt: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish with edges to keep them stable. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-40 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Pre-cook the peppers by boiling or microwaving for 3-4 minutes to soften and ensure even cooking.
- Drain excess fat from browned ground beef to prevent soggy filling.
- Pack the filling firmly into each pepper to help them maintain shape while baking.
- Use a baking dish with edges to keep peppers upright and prevent tipping.
- Let stuffed peppers rest for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors to deepen and filling to settle.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground beef, baked stuffed peppers, family dinner, easy weeknight meal, gluten free, hearty dinner
