Description
Delicious and hearty stuffed bell peppers filled with a flavorful mixture of ground beef or turkey, rice, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, topped with melted cheese and baked to perfection. A comforting meal perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Produce
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
Pantry Items
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Sauté Aromatics: In a skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook until it is browned evenly. Drain any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Combine Filling Ingredients: Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for 2–3 minutes until it is heated through and flavors meld.
- Prepare Peppers: Place the hollowed bell peppers upright in a baking dish ready for stuffing.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, pressing gently to pack them well.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese generously on top of each stuffed pepper.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to cook the peppers through and melt the filling.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese on top is melted, bubbly, and slightly golden.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the stuffed peppers to cool for a few minutes before serving to let the filling set slightly and prevent burns.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or lean pork if preferred.
- For a vegetarian option, replace meat with cooked lentils or crumbled tofu and use vegetable broth for cooking rice.
- Use different varieties of cheese like pepper jack or gouda for a unique flavor.
- To save time, use pre-cooked rice or leftover rice.
- Covering the dish with foil during baking helps to steam the peppers and keep them tender.
