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Savory Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef and Rice

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A quick and easy recipe featuring juicy ground beef, fluffy rice, and sharp cheddar cheese stuffed into bell peppers, baked to golden perfection. Perfect for busy weeknights and family dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green; red preferred for sweetness)
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (about 200g)
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup canned diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
  • ½ cup tomato sauce
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Trim bottoms slightly if needed to stand upright without holes.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute.
  4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked beef, sautéed onions and garlic, cooked rice, drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, oregano, smoked paprika, and 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese. Stir gently until evenly mixed.
  6. Spoon the filling into each bell pepper cavity, packing lightly but not too tight. Place peppers upright in a baking dish.
  7. Sprinkle extra shredded cheddar cheese generously over the stuffed peppers.
  8. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  9. Let peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

Use day-old or leftover rice to avoid soggy filling. Drain canned tomatoes well to prevent watery filling. If peppers brown too fast, tent with foil. Add a splash of beef broth or extra tomato sauce if filling seems dry before baking. Can substitute ground turkey, chicken, lentils, or plant-based meat for beef. For low-carb, swap rice with cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, ground beef, cheesy stuffed peppers, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, baked peppers, beef and rice

Find it online: https://recipebelle.com/savory-cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-beef-and-rice-easy-recipe/