Description
These Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers are a quick and flavorful meal featuring colorful bell peppers filled with a savory mix of rice, diced tomatoes, cheese, and aromatic spices, all cooked to perfection under pressure for a tender, cheesy delight.
Ingredients
Scale
Liquid Base
- ¾ cup water (chicken or vegetable broth also work)
Stuffing
- 2 cups cooked rice (cooled, use white, brown, or instant rice)
- 10 oz. diced tomatoes (1 can, fire roasted also works)
- 1½ cups shredded cheese (divided, use your favorite)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tsp ground chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp ground paprika
Peppers
- 4 bell peppers (seeds and stems removed, any color, equal sized)
Instructions
- Prepare Instant Pot: Add the trivet insert to the Instant Pot and pour in the water or broth. This liquid will help create steam for pressure cooking.
- Make Stuffing Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, 1 cup of shredded cheese, minced garlic, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, and paprika. Stir thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients evenly.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill each bell pepper with one-quarter of the rice mixture, packing it gently but firmly to hold the filling without spilling.
- Arrange Peppers: Place the stuffed peppers upright on the trivet inside the Instant Pot. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup of cheese evenly over the tops of the peppers.
- Pressure Cook: Secure the lid on the Instant Pot, ensuring the valve is set to sealing. Cook at high pressure for 10 minutes. Once cooking stops, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes before switching valve to venting to release any remaining pressure.
- Serve: Carefully remove the stuffed peppers and serve garnished with chopped cilantro or parsley for a fresh finish.
Notes
- You can substitute water with chicken or vegetable broth for added flavor.
- Feel free to use any type of cooked rice—white, brown, or instant works well.
- Fire roasted diced tomatoes add a smoky depth if desired.
- Customize cheese types to your preference; mozzarella, cheddar, or Monterey Jack are all great choices.
- Ensure peppers are of similar size for even cooking.
- Allow natural pressure release to avoid splitting the peppers.
- Garnishing with fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley brightens the dish.
