My Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers are a comforting classic—tender green peppers filled with a savory ground beef and rice mixture, topped with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese. This easy, flavorful recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, and a great way to bring bold, satisfying flavors to your table!
What are Beef and rice stuffed bell peppers?
These Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers are a nostalgic, comforting dish that’s just like the Italian stuffed bell peppers my grandma used to make for dinner. Tender green peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cooked rice, and Italian seasoning, then baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with gooey mozzarella cheese. It’s a classic recipe with simple ingredients and bold, delicious flavors—perfect for recreating those warm family dinners around the table!
Looking for more? Also try my Roasted Bell Pepper Pasta and Zucchini Antipasti. Try this dish with Gnocchi alla Sorrentina.
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🌟 Why You'll Love this Recipe
- Classic, Nostalgic Comfort: These Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers are a timeless dish, combining tender green peppers, a savory ground beef and rice mixture, and rich tomato sauce. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm hug, perfect for recreating those nostalgic family dinners.
- Perfect for Weeknight Dinners or Meal Prep: This recipe is a lifesaver for busy evenings—simple to prepare, easy to bake, and reheats beautifully. Whether you’re feeding the entire family or planning meals for the week, these stuffed bell peppers are a great option.
- Customizable and Crowd-Pleasing: Whether you stick with the classic green peppers or swap in orange or red for a touch of sweetness, this recipe is versatile enough to suit picky eaters or experiment with additions like cheddar cheese, ground turkey, or even cauliflower rice for a twist!
🥘 Ingredients
- Green Bell Peppers: The star of the dish, these tender green bell peppers are the perfect vessel for the savory beef and rice mixture. They become sweet and tender as they bake, making every bite melt-in-your-mouth delicious. You can also use red or orange bell peppers for a slightly sweeter twist.
- Lean Ground Beef: This provides the hearty base for the filling. The rich, savory flavor pairs perfectly with the Italian seasoning and tomato sauce, creating a filling that’s both satisfying and packed with flavor.
- Cooked Rice: Whether you use white rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option, the rice adds texture and helps bind the meat mixture together. It’s a simple addition that makes the filling hearty and filling.
- Tomato Sauce: This rich, tangy sauce is poured over the stuffed peppers and baked to perfection. It infuses the dish with classic Italian flavors and keeps the peppers juicy and flavorful.
- Italian Seasoning: A blend of dried herbs like oregano, basil, and thyme adds bold Italian flavor to the beef and rice mixture. It’s the perfect seasoning for bringing out the best in this classic recipe.
- Garlic Powder: A touch of garlic powder adds a mellow, savory depth to the meat mixture. It’s a simple way to enhance the overall flavor without overpowering the dish.
- Black Pepper & Salt: Proper seasoning is key to bringing out all the flavors in this dish. The combination of black pepper and kosher salt ensures every bite is perfectly balanced.
- Mozzarella Cheese: The final touch, melted mozzarella cheese, creates that irresistible gooey topping. It adds richness and brings all the flavors together beautifully.
- Onion: Sautéed with the ground beef, chopped onion adds a touch of sweetness and depth of flavor to the filling. It’s a classic addition that’s essential for a truly savory meat mixture.
- Aluminum Foil: While not an ingredient, covering the baking dish with foil during the first stage of baking ensures the peppers cook evenly and stay tender and juicy.
See recipe card for quantities.
🔪 Instructions
Prepare the Peppers: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cut the tops off the green bell peppers, remove the seeds and membranes, and rinse thoroughly. If needed, trim the bottoms slightly to help the peppers stand upright.
Cook the Filling: Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and chopped onion, cooking until the beef is browned and the onion is softened, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
Season the Mixture: Stir in the cooked rice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until everything is evenly combined and the rice mixture is flavorful.
Prepare the Baking Dish: Pour one can of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish, spreading it out evenly to coat the base.
Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the meat mixture into the prepared bell peppers, packing it tightly. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly in a single layer.
Add Sauce and Cover: Pour the second can of tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers, making sure they’re well-coated. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil to seal in moisture during baking.
Bake the Peppers: Bake the peppers in the preheated oven for 35-45 minutes, or until the peppers are tender but still holding their shape.
Add the Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops of the peppers. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve: Spoon some of the tomato sauce from the bottom of the baking dish over each stuffed pepper when serving. Enjoy these beef and rice stuffed bell peppers warm for a comforting and satisfying meal!
👩🏼🍳 Chef's Tip
- Choose the Best Peppers: Select firm, fresh green bell peppers with smooth skin. They hold the beef and rice mixture well and bake to tender perfection. For a sweeter flavor, try red, orange, or yellow bell peppers. Trim the bottoms slightly if needed to help them stand upright in the baking dish.
- Enhance the Filling: Use leftover rice, brown rice, or even cauliflower rice for a twist on the classic recipe. Adding a little Worcestershire sauce or chili powder to the ground beef mixture can create a deeper, more complex flavor.
- Bake for Perfect Texture: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to trap steam and ensure tender peppers. For a golden, bubbly topping, remove the foil during the last 5 minutes and let the mozzarella cheese melt and brown beautifully.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Swap the Protein: While lean ground beef is the classic choice, you can use ground turkey or ground chicken for a lighter option. For a heartier flavor, try using a mix of ground beef and Italian sausage.
- Change the Rice: If you’re out of white rice, brown rice is a great substitute for added fiber and a nutty flavor. For a low-carb variation, use cauliflower rice—it blends beautifully with the meat mixture and keeps the dish lighter.
- Try Different Cheeses: While mozzarella is a go-to for its melty goodness, cheddar cheese or Monterey Jack can add a different flavor profile. For a richer topping, sprinkle Parmesan cheese along with the mozzarella.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with a Green Salad: Pair these beef and rice stuffed bell peppers with a crisp green salad for a refreshing contrast. A simple salad of mixed greens, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar complements the rich tomato sauce and savory meat mixture beautifully.
Add a Side of Garlic Bread: For an indulgent meal, serve these stuffed bell peppers with warm garlic bread. The bread is perfect for soaking up the extra tomato sauce at the bottom of the baking dish, adding even more delicious flavor to your plate.
Try a Hearty Soup: These stuffed bell peppers make a comforting pairing with a bowl of minestrone or tomato basil soup. The combination of tender peppers, beef and rice, and cheesy topping with a warm soup is a great way to create a cozy, complete meal for the entire family.
💭 Recipe FAQs
Absolutely! These Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers are perfect for meal prep. You can prepare the peppers and stuff them with the meat mixture up to a day in advance. Cover the baking dish tightly with plastic wrap or an airtight container and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, let the dish sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes, then bake as directed. If baking straight from the fridge, you may need to add a few extra minutes to the cooking time to ensure the peppers heat through evenly. It’s a great way to save time while still enjoying a fresh, delicious meal!
🥣 Storage & Reheating
Refrigerator: Store any leftover beef and rice stuffed bell peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes, or in the microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes per pepper until warmed through.
Freezer: These stuffed peppers freeze beautifully. Allow them to cool completely, then place them in a freezer-safe container or wrap individually in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating from Frozen: Thaw the peppers in the refrigerator overnight before reheating. For best results, reheat in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes, or until fully heated through. For quicker reheating, use the microwave on medium power for 4-5 minutes per pepper, checking for even heating.
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🥗 Pairing Recommendations
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📋 Recipe
Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers
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Equipment
- Large skillet
- Knife
- Measuring spoons
- 9-inch square baking dish
- Aluminum Foil
- Oven
- Spoon or spatula for mixing and stuffing
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers medium to large
- 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
- 2 14oz can tomato sauce divided
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Prepare bell peppers by cutting off tops, removing seeds and membranes, and rinsing. Adjust bottoms if needed for stability.
- In a large skillet over medium-high heat, brown ground beef and onion until the beef is fully cooked and the onion is softened. Drain excess fat.
- Stir cooked rice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper into the beef mixture until well combined.
- Pour one can of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9-inch square baking dish.
- Stuff the prepared peppers with the beef mixture. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the baking dish.
- Pour the second can of tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 35–45 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top of the peppers, and bake uncovered for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
- Serve hot, spooning the sauce from the baking dish over the peppers.
🌡️ Food safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
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