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Comforting Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Rice

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A quick and easy stuffed bell pepper recipe featuring a savory mix of ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce, topped with melted cheese for a comforting and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), tops cut off and seeds removed
  • 1 pound lean ground beef (85% lean recommended)
  • 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup plain tomato sauce or marinara
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers by slicing the tops off and carefully removing seeds and membranes. Trim bottoms slightly if needed to stand upright.
  3. Cook 1 cup of rice according to package instructions if not already cooked. Set aside.
  4. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  5. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, being careful not to burn.
  6. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  7. Stir in tomato sauce and Worcestershire sauce. Simmer for 2 minutes to meld flavors.
  8. Remove from heat and fold in cooked rice until evenly combined.
  9. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each bell pepper, packing gently but not overfilling.
  10. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Spoon extra tomato sauce over the top if desired.
  11. Cover loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  12. Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top, and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is melted and peppers are tender but still hold shape.
  13. Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Parboil peppers for 3-4 minutes before stuffing to reduce baking time and ensure tenderness. Do not skip resting time after baking to help filling set. Brown the meat well for best flavor. Slightly undercook rice for better texture inside peppers. Use thicker tomato sauce to avoid watery filling. Cover with foil during baking to keep peppers moist.

Nutrition

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

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