Description
Delicious stuffed bell peppers filled with ground beef, rice, and topped with cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6 bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
- 2 cups tomato sauce
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Lightly sprinkle with salt and set them aside in a baking dish.
- Make the Filling: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté until soft, about 4–5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook until fragrant. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned. Season with oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
- Add Rice and Tomatoes: Once the beef is fully cooked, stir in the cooked rice and drained diced tomatoes. Let the mixture simmer for a few minutes so the flavors meld. Remove from heat and fold in the shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Stuff the Peppers: Carefully spoon the filling into each prepared bell pepper. Place the peppers upright in the baking dish. Pour tomato sauce around and a little over each pepper. Top with a sprinkle of mozzarella for that golden, gooey finish.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Spoon some of the tomato sauce from the dish over the top for extra flavor.
Notes
- Adding more cheese on top towards the end of baking gives a nice golden finish.
- These stuffed peppers can be made ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
- Experiment with different spices to customize the flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg