Description
Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers are a classic comfort food featuring colorful bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, seasoned with Italian herbs and cumin. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, this hearty dish is perfect for a satisfying family meal.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Stuffed Peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 bell peppers (any color), tops removed and seeds cleaned
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Topping and Sauce
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare it for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Sauté aromatics: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the diced onions and minced garlic. Cook for about 4 minutes until they become translucent and fragrant.
- Cook the beef: Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until fully browned and no longer pink.
- Combine mixture: Stir in the drained diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook for another 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together.
- Prepare peppers: Place the cleaned bell peppers upright in a baking dish. Carefully fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack the filling.
- Add tomato sauce: Pour the tomato sauce over and around the stuffed peppers in the baking dish.
- Bake covered: Cover the dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to allow the peppers to soften and the filling to cook through.
- Add cheese and finish baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each stuffed pepper, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle fresh chopped parsley on top, and serve the stuffed peppers hot for a delicious meal.
Notes
- You can use any color bell peppers according to your preference or availability.
- Cooking the rice beforehand is essential for the filling texture; leftover rice works perfectly.
- Adjust seasonings such as cumin and Italian seasoning to suit your taste.
- If you prefer a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
- For a lower-fat option, use lean ground beef or ground turkey.
- This recipe can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated before baking.
