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This simple dish combines ground beef, white rice, and peppers to make a mouthwatering meal. Making stuffed peppers is easy and is a quick weeknight dinner idea.
If you would have asked me to try stuffed peppers when I was a kid, I would have turned up my nose at you. But, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve expanded my horizons to try new foods. One Sunday night, I was trying to decide what to add to my weekly meal plan and stumbled upon a recipe for stuffed peppers.
I read through the list of ingredients for things I liked. Rice? Check! Ground Beef? Check! Cheese? Check! Tomato Sauce? Check! Peppers? Um, maybe? Since I liked the other items used to make them, I thought I’d give it a try. And do you know what happened? I FELL IN LOVE!!! Seriously. This is one of my absolute favorite dishes.
Since the first time I made this, I’ve slightly modified the recipe, so it is more what my family will love. And, I’ve shared it with my family members, who have raved just as much about it as I have!
Now, when it is time to figure out what to eat for the week, stuffed peppers are at the top of our family’s favorite meals list. Not only are they delicious, but they are a healthier dish too. And, you can make these peppers even better by swapping ground beef for ground turkey. We do this all of the time, and there is zero difference in the taste.
Making peppers for dinner is pretty easy, but you might still run into some snags or have a few questions. This may help!
Problem: The peppers will not stand up in the pan
Solution: If you find your peppers will not stand up so you can fill them, there are a few things you can try:
Slice off the bottom bumps so that it is level (don’t cut off too much as you don’t want to have the filling run out).
Create an aluminum foil bowl. Shape some foil and set the pepper inside and then place in the pan.
Use the right pan. I always use an 8×8 Pyrex pan to make theseas that pan is aperfect size!
Problem: I don’t know what to do with the tops.
Solution: The tops — or the lids as my kids call them — can be placed on top after cooking if you want to have a more finished style. However, there is no need. You can just toss them.
Problem: My family does not like rice.
Solution: There are many things you can use instead of rice. You can try cauliflower rice, corn, mushrooms, more beef, and cheese. The ideas are endless. You may have to try a few different ideas until you find the perfect addition to your stuffed bell peppers.
Find other great dinner ideas on our Entrees page!
CAN YOU FREEZE STUFFED PEPPERS?
Yes! Yes, you can! All you need to do is make a double batch, and then you can freeze the stuffed peppers individually or as an entire meal for the family. When you are ready to reheat, you will want to let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight if possible. Then place them in the oven until thoroughly reheated and enjoy!
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Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
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3 from 1 review
This stuffed peppers recipe is not only easy to make but is made with real ingredients you will actually have on hand (and can pronounce)!
Author:Tracie
Prep Time:20 mins
Cook Time:50 mins
Total Time:1 hour 10 mins
Yield:41x
Category:Entree
Ingredients
Scale
4 large green bell peppers (can use red if you prefer)
1 lb of ground beef or turkey
1 Tbs. chopped onion
1 cup of cooked rice (Minute Rice is what I use)
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. garlic salt
1 can tomato sauce (15 oz)
1 – 1 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cut a circle around the top of the pepper so you can remove the top. This is the “lid”, which you can discard.
Use a spoon and scoop out all of the seeds and membranes inside of the pepper.
Add the peppers to a pot of water. Heat to boiling and cook for 5-7 minutes and then drain.
While peppers are boiling, brown the ground beef (or turkey) until cooked through.
Add in onion and cook until softened.
Drain and return to the skillet.
Mix in 1/4 – 1/3 cup of cheese.
Add the rice, salt, garlic salt and 1 cup of tomato sauce to the beef. Cook until all is hot.
Spoon the beef mixture into the peppers.
Stand upright in a small baking dish (recommended size is 8×8).
Pour the remaining sauce over the top of the peppers.
The Costco Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers are made of large sweet bell peppers along with ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and a blend of spices. The peppers are then topped with a layer of cheese before being baked.
TO STORE: Refrigerate stuffed peppers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days. TO REHEAT: Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F. TO FREEZE: Freeze peppers in an airtight freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
The thing about most stuffed bell pepper recipes is 3that they call for salt in the filling, not for the peppers themselves. Without salt, the peppers are flabby and bland, merely a filling case. With a sprinkle of salt, they transform into a sweet and powerfully savory part of the dish.
That said, the recipe is endlessly versatile; you can change up the meat, spices, grain, or cheese to give the dish a whole new spin. This version goes nicely with cornbread. The peppers need to be par-cooked before filling so that they cook through.
Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle the peppers with a little olive oil. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melted and lightly browned, another 15 to 20 minutes.
When you bake peppers that are not pre-blanched or cooked, it is normal that they release their natural water – which can be easily avoided by pre-cooking beforehand.
One medium sweet pepper equals ½ cup chopped. One large sweet pepper equals 1 cup chopped. Three large or five medium sweet peppers (1 pound) equals 3 to 4 cups chopped.
Along with taste, the insoluble fiber found in peppers and spinach is beneficial for keeping your digestive tract healthy, while the brown rice can help control blood cholesterol levels. Another bonus: Spinach is high in calcium – a half cup provides 122 milligrams of calcium!
Our easy recipe for Stuffed Peppers makes four servings, making it perfect for a family dinner. Tomato sauce, meat, rice and cheese are the most common fillings for stuffed peppers, but you'll see all sorts of different seasonings used and substitutions made.
Introduction: My name is Chrissy Homenick, I am a tender, funny, determined, tender, glorious, fancy, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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