Classic Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Classic Stuffed Peppers feature bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This comforting and flavorful dish is baked to perfection, making it a perfect family-friendly meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 stuffed peppers 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- ½ tsp. salt
- ½ tsp. black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 2 cups tomato sauce, divided
For the Peppers
- 6 large bell peppers
- 2½ cups tomato sauce, divided
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare the filling. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef, salt, pepper, and minced garlic. Cook for 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully cooked. Drain excess fat and discard. Stir in cooked rice and 2 cups of tomato sauce, then taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Prepare the peppers. Slice off a thin layer from the stem end of each bell pepper to remove the tops. Remove the seeds and membranes inside. If any pepper wobbles when standing, trim a thin slice from the bottom to make them stable.
- Stuff the peppers. Fill each pepper with the prepared beef and rice mixture, packing it tightly. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Bake the peppers. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 40-45 minutes until the peppers are tender. Test tenderness by inserting a toothpick near the pepper’s top; it should slide through easily.
- Add sauce and cheese. Remove the peppers from the oven. Spoon a heaping tablespoon of the remaining tomato sauce on top of each pepper. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over all peppers. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
- Use a mixture of different colored bell peppers for a vibrant presentation.
- Leftover stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- For a spicier kick, add a dash of crushed red pepper flakes to the filling.
- To shorten cooking time, partially cook the peppers in boiling water for 5 minutes before stuffing.
Keywords: stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, mozzarella cheese, classic stuffed peppers, comfort food, family meal
Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/classic-stuffed-peppers-recipe/
