Quick and easy stuffed bell peppers

Easy and Delicious Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed peppers are a great dish that looks fancy but is actually easy to make! They are tasty, filling, and perfect for a family dinner. Let’s learn how to make them step by step.

🧑‍🍳 What You’ll Need

• 6 bell peppers (same size)
• 1 small onion (or half a large one)
• 3 garlic cloves (or more if you love garlic!)
• 1 ¼ pounds (about 560g) ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or even mushrooms for a vegetarian version)
• 1 ½ cups cooked rice
• 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
• 8 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (plus more for topping)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
• Optional: raisins, almonds, chili, cumin, breadcrumbs, parmesan, or your favorite spices

🔥 Step 1: Get the Oven Ready

Set your oven to 350°F (175°C). If you’re cooking the peppers later, you can do all the prep today and bake them the next day.

🧄 Step 2: Chop the Veggies

• Garlic: Peel and finely chop 3 garlic cloves (or more if you like).
• Onion: Peel and dice 1 small onion (or half a large one).

🌶️ Step 3: Prepare the Peppers

• Take 6 bell peppers and wash them.
• Cut the tops off and remove the seeds and white parts inside.
• Keep the tops—they can help the peppers stand up straight in the dish.
• Place the empty peppers in a large baking dish, standing up.

🍚 Step 4: Make the Filling

• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
• Add the chopped onion and cook for about 8–10 minutes until they’re soft and a bit golden.
• Add the garlic and stir for about 2 minutes (don’t let it burn).
• Add the ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or mushrooms) and cook until browned. This takes around 10 minutes.

👉 Tip: If using turkey, don’t use just the breast meat—it’s too dry. Use dark meat or add a bit of fat (like butter).

🍅 Step 5: Add the Flavors

• Add the canned diced tomatoes and tomato sauce to the meat.
• Sprinkle in the Italian seasoning and salt.
• Stir everything well and taste it—add more salt if needed.
• Add the cooked rice and gently mix it in.
• Stir in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and ½ teaspoon black pepper. You can also add red pepper flakes if you want a little spice.

🧀 Step 6: Fill the Peppers

• Spoon the filling into the empty bell peppers until they’re full.
• Top with more cheese (about ½ cup or as much as you like).
• You can also sprinkle on breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan and herbs if you want a crunchy top.

🔥 Step 7: Bake

• Bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melty and golden.
• Don’t overbake or the peppers will get mushy.

🌿 Final Touch

Once out of the oven, sprinkle a little parsley on top and serve!

🥄 Why You’ll Love It

• It’s a one-pan dish with almost no mess.
• Great for meal prep—make it ahead and bake the next day.
• You can make it your own by adding your favorite spices or switching the meat.
• It’s warm, filling, and full of flavor!

🌟 Bonus Tip

This is a great way to mix things up if you’re tired of the same meals every week. It’s kid-friendly too—just skip the spice if needed!

Enjoy your stuffed peppers! They’re tasty, cozy, and super satisfying. 😊