Description
Classic stuffed peppers loaded with savory ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melted cheese. This comforting, colorful dish is easy enough for a weeknight yet impressive enough for guests. Roasted bell peppers filled with flavorful beef and cheesy rice make for a wholesome and satisfying meal everyone will love.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound 90% lean ground beef
- 1¼ teaspoons salt, divided
- Heaping ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- 3 large red, yellow, or orange bell peppers, halved lengthwise and cored
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ teaspoons chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 (8-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked rice (or quinoa)
- 1½ cups shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar Jack cheese, divided
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C) and place the rack in the middle position.
- In a bowl, mix ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and baking soda. Let rest for 20 minutes to tenderize.
- Place pepper halves cut side up in a baking dish. Drizzle with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with ¼ teaspoon salt. Roast for 20 minutes until tender-crisp.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until soft, 3–4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more without browning.
- Add the beef mixture, chili powder, cumin, and oregano. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomato sauce and bring to a boil, then reduce to medium-low. Simmer 2–3 minutes until cooked through.
- Add cooked rice and ¾ cup cheese, stirring until melted and combined.
- Remove peppers from oven and fill each with the beef mixture. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
- Return to oven and bake for 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
Notes
- Use red, orange, or yellow peppers for the sweetest flavor.
- Pre-roasting peppers adds flavor and prevents sogginess.
- The baking soda keeps the beef juicy and tender.
- Can be made ahead and refrigerated up to 2 days or frozen up to 3 months.
- To make gluten-free, ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/2 pepper
- Calories: 381
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 646 mg
- Fat: 24 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 17 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 74 mg
Keywords: stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, cheesy peppers, easy dinner recipe, gluten free stuffed peppers, comfort food