Peppers with Cheesy Ground Beef Recipe
A flavorful and hearty recipe featuring bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, cheese, rice, and aromatic spices, perfect as a comforting family meal that balances protein, vegetables, and wholesome ingredients.
- Author: Bella
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4-6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Salt
Vegetables
- 4–6 bell peppers (any color – green, yellow, red, orange)
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, chopped (optional, for spicy)
- 5 cloves garlic, chopped
- Chopped tops of bell peppers (from cutting off the tops)
- Fresh chopped parsley (for garnish)
Protein & Dairy
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef (or ground turkey, chicken, pork, sausage, tofu, or similar)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend; pepperjack recommended)
Pantry Items & Spices
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 14.5 ounces canned fire roasted tomatoes (or diced tomatoes or tomato sauce)
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Red pepper flakes (for garnish)
Grains
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice)
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes inside. Set aside the chopped tops for later use.
- Sauté Vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion, jalapeno (if using), garlic, and chopped pepper tops. Cook until softened and fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- Cook the Meat: Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Add Tomatoes and Spices: Stir in canned fire roasted tomatoes, paprika, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Mix in Rice and Cheese: Fold cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese into the beef mixture until evenly combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each hollowed bell pepper until full.
- Bake the Peppers: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Add Remaining Cheese and Garnish: Remove foil, sprinkle remaining cheese on top of each pepper, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley and red pepper flakes for extra flavor and presentation. Serve hot.
Notes
- You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, pork, sausage, or a plant-based alternative like tofu for variation.
- Use any color of bell peppers according to your preference or availability.
- To make this recipe vegetarian or vegan, omit meat and use tofu or plant-based protein and opt for vegan cheese.
- Adjust the level of heat by including or omitting the jalapeno pepper and red pepper flakes.
- Cook rice in advance or use leftover rice to speed up preparation time.
- For a gluten-free version, ensure the canned tomatoes and spices have no added gluten-containing ingredients.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: stuffed peppers, cheesy ground beef, bell peppers, baked peppers, easy dinner, comfort food, ground beef recipe