Stuffed peppers are a colorful, versatile dish where bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of rice, meat, veggies, and seasonings, then baked until tender 🌶️🍚.
🌶️ Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
🧾 Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or quinoa)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (400g) diced tomatoes
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp paprika or Italian seasoning
- ½ cup shredded cheese (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp olive oil
👩🍳 Instructions
1. Prep peppers
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes.
- Optional: Blanch peppers in boiling water 2–3 minutes for softer texture.
2. Make filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet.
- Cook onion and garlic until soft.
- Add ground meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, and spices.
- Optional: mix in half the cheese for extra creaminess.
3. Stuff peppers
- Spoon the filling into each pepper.
- Place peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Optional: pour a little tomato sauce or broth around them to keep moist.
4. Bake
- Cover with foil and bake 30–40 minutes.
- Remove foil, top with remaining cheese, and bake another 5–10 minutes until cheese melts.
5. Serve
- Serve hot, with extra tomato sauce spooned over the top.
💡 Tips
- Use any leftover cooked grains for the filling.
- Add beans, corn, or diced zucchini for extra veggies.
- For a vegetarian version, replace meat with beans or lentils.
- Make ahead: Stuffed peppers freeze well before baking.
🍽️ Variations
- Italian-style: Use mozzarella, marinara, and Italian herbs.
- Mexican-style: Add black beans, corn, chili powder, and top with cheddar.
- Mediterranean-style: Mix in feta, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
If you want, I can give a super quick 30-minute version that works even on busy weeknights 🌶️⏱️.
