Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef, Rice, and Mozzarella Recipe

Introduction

Classic stuffed peppers are a comforting and satisfying meal featuring tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, this dish is perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.

Ingredients

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 large bell peppers
• 2 and ½ cups tomato sauce, divided
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Step 2: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
3. Step 3: Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked, about 6-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cooked rice and 2 cups of tomato sauce into the beef mixture. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
5. Step 5: Prepare the bell peppers by cutting a thin slice from the stem end to remove the top. Remove seeds and membranes. If a pepper doesn’t stand upright, trim a thin slice from the bottom to stabilize it.
6. Step 6: Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, then place them upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
7. Step 7: Bake the peppers for 40-45 minutes, until they are tender. To check, insert a toothpick near the top; it should slide through the skin easily.
8. Step 8: Remove the peppers from the oven. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the remaining tomato sauce on top of each pepper. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.
9. Step 9: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Tips & Variations

• Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
• Try adding chopped vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms to the beef mixture for extra nutrition.
• Substitute mozzarella with cheddar or a blend of cheeses for different flavors.
• For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños to the filling.
• If you prefer softer peppers, cover the baking dish with foil during baking and remove it for the last 10 minutes.

Storage

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in the oven at 350°F for about 15-20 minutes or microwave until heated through.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of peppers?

Yes, you can use any large bell peppers such as red, yellow, orange, or green. Each adds a slightly different flavor and color to the dish.

Can this recipe be made ahead of time?

Absolutely. Prepare and stuff the peppers, then refrigerate them before baking. When ready, bake as directed, adding a few extra minutes if baking straight from the fridge.

Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef, Rice, and Mozzarella Recipe

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4.5 from 141 reviews

This Classic Stuffed Peppers recipe features large bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of lean ground beef, cooked rice, aromatic onions, garlic, and tomato sauce, then baked to tender perfection and topped with melted mozzarella cheese. A comforting and hearty meal perfect for family dinners.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 stuffed peppers (serves 4-6) 1x
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

For the Filling

• 1 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked rice
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups tomato sauce

For the Peppers

• 6 large bell peppers
• ½ cup tomato sauce (for topping)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (176°C) to ensure it’s fully heated by the time you finish preparing the ingredients.
2. Cook the filling mixture. In a large skillet over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the lean ground beef, salt, black pepper, and minced garlic. Stir occasionally and cook for 6-7 minutes until the beef is fully browned and cooked through. Drain excess fat. Mix in cooked rice and 2 cups of tomato sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
3. Prepare the bell peppers. Cut a thin slice off the stem end of each bell pepper to create an opening. Remove seeds and membranes inside. To stabilize peppers, slice a thin layer off the bottom if they wobble, allowing them to stand upright.
4. Stuff the peppers. Fill each prepared bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture. Arrange the stuffed peppers standing upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
5. Bake the peppers. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, until the peppers are tender. You can check tenderness by inserting a toothpick near the top of a pepper—if it slides through the skin easily, they are ready.
6. Add tomato sauce and cheese. Remove the peppers from the oven and spoon a heaping tablespoon of tomato sauce on top of each stuffed pepper. Evenly sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over all the peppers.
7. Finish baking. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving.

Notes

• You can use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner substitute for beef.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
• Feel free to add chopped vegetables such as mushrooms or zucchini to the filling for extra nutrition and flavor.
• If you want a spicier variation, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
• Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.

Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, baked peppers, classic stuffed peppers, family dinner