Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef, Rice, and Mozzarella Recipe
Classic Stuffed Peppers are a comforting and hearty dish featuring bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of lean ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This oven-baked recipe is perfect for a family dinner, combining rich flavors and a cheesy finish that pleases all ages.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
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
Peppers and Sauce
- 6 large bell peppers
- 2½ cups tomato sauce, divided
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Cook Filling: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add ground beef, salt, pepper, and minced garlic, cooking for 6-7 minutes until beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat. Stir in cooked rice and 2 cups of tomato sauce, adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Prepare Peppers: Slice off a thin top portion from the stem end of each bell pepper and remove seeds and membranes. If needed, trim the bottom slightly to help peppers stand upright.
- Stuff Peppers: Fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, then place them upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake Peppers: Bake in the preheated oven for 40-45 minutes until peppers become tender. Test tenderness by inserting a toothpick near the top; it should pierce the pepper’s skin easily.
- Add Sauce and Cheese: Remove peppers from the oven. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of remaining tomato sauce over each pepper, then sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top.
- Finish Baking: Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- Use any color bell peppers—red, yellow, orange, or green—for a colorful presentation.
- Cook rice ahead of time or use leftover rice to save preparation time.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based meat alternatives.
- To avoid sogginess, do not overstuff the peppers.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven for best texture.
Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, baked stuffed peppers, Italian-American dinner, mozzarella cheese, comfort food
