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Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Ground Beef

Easy Stuffed Bell Peppers Ground Beef

Quick, healthy, and flavorful stuffed bell peppers with ground beef, streamlined for weeknight meals. Easier than grandma's (unless she was a culinary genius) but with all the comforting taste.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Peppers
  • 4 large bell peppers any color, halved lengthwise and seeded
For the Filling
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
  • 1 (15 ounce) can diced tomatoes undrained
  • 1 cup cooked rice white or brown
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese optional

Equipment

  • Oven
  • Large Skillet
  • Baking Dish
  • Foil

Method
 

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
  4. Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer.
  5. Spoon the ground beef mixture into the bell pepper halves.
  6. Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and add about 1/2 inch of water to the bottom of the dish.
  7. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Remove the foil and bake for another 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
  9. Sprinkle with shredded cheddar cheese (if using) and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  10. Serve hot.

Notes

To prevent the peppers from becoming soggy, lightly brush them with olive oil before stuffing. Don’t overcook the ground beef filling – you want it to be moist, not dry. For a richer flavor, substitute Italian sausage for half of the ground beef. Experiment with different rice varieties; brown rice adds a nutty flavor and more fiber. If you want to add a little heat, include a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling. For easy cleanup, use a disposable foil baking dish. Don't be afraid to customize the filling to your liking - add chopped vegetables like zucchini, carrots, or corn for extra nutrients and texture. Adjust seasoning based on your preference.