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Bell peppers stuffed ground beef rice tomato cheesy bake.

Classic Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

Bell peppers stuffed ground beef rice tomato cheesy bake. Hearty American main, ready 50 minutes.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6
Course: Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Calories: 380

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large bell peppers mixed colors
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 lb ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 onion diced
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 15 oz tomato sauce
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese

Equipment

  • Chef’s knife
  • Cutting board
  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • 9x13 baking dish
  • Spoon
  • Measuring cups & spoons

Method
 

  1. Slice tops off 6 bell peppers chef's knife cutting board. Pull seeds ribs inside spoon clean. Large pot boil water add 1 tsp salt. Dunk peppers 2 minutes soft flexible tongs. Ice bath cold water 2 minutes stop cook. Stand cut side up baking dish.​
  2. All-Clad skillet medium heat. Add 1 lb ground beef break spatula crumble 5 minutes brown drain fat spoon. Add 1 diced onion 2 minced garlic stir 3 minutes soft fragrant. Pour 15 oz tomato sauce 1 tsp Italian ½ tsp salt ¼ tsp pepper. Fold 1 cup rice simmer 5 minutes thick.​
  3. Preheat oven 375°F. Spoon beef rice filling peppers mound tops full. Pack gentle spoon no gaps. Sprinkle ¼ cup cheddar each pepper top crusty. Foil tent loose baking dish 20 minutes steam tender.​
  4. Foil off bake 5 minutes cheese bubble gold. Rest 5 minutes peppers stand firm. Garnish parsley serve hot slice clean.

Notes

  • 2-minute blanch exact softens peppers tender no raw bite, ice bath keeps color crisp hold shape stuffing. Clean seeds thorough no bitter grit filling.
  • Ground beef 80/20 browns juicy no dry; drain fat spoon prevents greasy sauce. Rice cooked day-old drier absorbs sauce better no mush. Italian seasoning sub oregano basil pantry staple.
  • Foil tent first 20 minutes steams peppers through rice center; uncovered melts cheese crusty peak. Stand peppers cut side up foil balls baking dish no tip. Test fork peppers tender filling 165°F beef safe.
  • Make ahead: blanch stuff fridge 24 hours, bake straight cold add 10 minutes. Freeze stuffed foil-wrapped 2 months thaw bake. Swap turkey leaner, quinoa gluten-free, jack cheese mild melt.