Description
Italian Stuffed Peppers are a comforting, savory dish made by stuffing bell peppers with a seasoned mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. Baked to perfection, this dish brings warmth and heartiness to any meal, making it perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice (white or brown rice)
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (dried basil, oregano, thyme)
- Fresh basil (optional, for garnish)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice off the tops of the bell peppers, removing the seeds and membranes. If the peppers don’t sit flat, trim a small slice off the bottom. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Ground Beef and Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and sauté for 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Add Tomatoes and Rice: Stir in the diced tomatoes and cooked rice, mixing well. Simmer for 5-7 minutes. If the mixture is dry, add a bit of tomato sauce or water.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into the peppers, packing it tightly.
- Bake the Stuffed Peppers: Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and serve.
Notes
- Pre-cook the Rice: Use leftover rice or pre-cook your rice to speed up the process.
- Cheese Variations: You can use provolone, cheddar, or fontina for different flavors.
- Spicy Option: Add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a spicy kick.
- Ground Meat Substitutes: Ground turkey or chicken are great leaner alternatives.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 375
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 21g
- Cholesterol: 60mg