Stuffed bell peppers are a versatile and delicious dish that has stood the test of time. Whether filled with beef, quinoa, vegetables, or a mix of savory ingredients, these stuffed peppers bring comfort and nourishment to the table. Not only are they flavorful, but they are also customizable to suit any dietary preference or craving. Here, we will explore six fantastic recipes for stuffed bell peppers, each offering its unique twist on this classic dish.
1. Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef & Rice
The classic stuffed bell pepper is a comforting dish that brings together ground beef, rice, marinara sauce, and cheese, creating a warm, hearty meal perfect for any family dinner.
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (green, red, or yellow)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet, then sauté the onion and garlic until fragrant. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in the cooked rice, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each bell pepper, packing it tightly.
- Bake: Pour a thin layer of marinara sauce around the peppers in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheese over the peppers. Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve with extra marinara sauce on the side.
This recipe takes about 1 hour to prepare and cook, providing a wholesome and comforting dish that serves four people. Each serving contains around 360 calories.
2. Quinoa & Beef Stuffed Red Bell Peppers with Balsamic Glaze
If you’re looking for a slightly lighter, more refined twist on the classic, this quinoa and beef stuffed red bell pepper recipe with balsamic glaze is the way to go. The balsamic glaze adds a sweet, tangy finish to the rich and savory filling.
Ingredients:
- 4 large red bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the peppers in half, remove the seeds, and drizzle with olive oil. Roast for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Filling: Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in cooked quinoa, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each roasted pepper half with the quinoa and beef mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan on top.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers back in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until slightly golden on top.
- Drizzle with Balsamic Glaze: Once baked, drizzle the balsamic glaze generously over the peppers.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil or parsley and serve warm.
This dish provides a slightly healthier alternative to the traditional stuffed peppers, with quinoa replacing rice. With a total prep and cook time of 45 minutes, each serving is about 310 calories.
3. Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Bell Peppers
For garlic lovers, this recipe offers a mouthwatering combination of garlic, Parmesan, and Italian herbs. The addition of breadcrumbs gives the peppers a satisfying crunch, making them a delightful treat.
Ingredients:
- 4 large orange or yellow bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
- 1/2 cup diced yellow bell pepper (from the tops)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (panko or regular)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese + 2 tbsp for topping
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the bell pepper halves in a baking dish.
- Sauté the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet and sauté onion, garlic, and diced bell pepper until softened. Add rice or quinoa, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook for another 2 minutes.
- Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the filling into each pepper half.
- Prepare the Topping: Mix breadcrumbs with 2 tbsp of Parmesan and sprinkle over the peppers.
- Bake: Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes, then remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the tops are golden.
- Serve: Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
This recipe, with a total cook time of 50 minutes, makes a great vegetarian option and serves four people with each portion containing around 240 calories.
4. Tex-Mex Stuffed Poblano Peppers
For those who crave bold flavors, Tex-Mex stuffed poblano peppers offer a spicy, cheesy experience with a delicious mix of beef, rice, and salsa.
Ingredients:
- 4 large poblano peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 cup salsa
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh cilantro for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Poblanos: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place poblano halves on a baking sheet, brush with olive oil, and roast for 10 minutes.
- Cook the Filling: Sauté onion and garlic, then add ground beef and spices. Cook until browned. Stir in rice and salsa, adjusting seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each roasted poblano half with the beef and rice mixture.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle cheddar cheese over the peppers and bake for 15 minutes or until melted.
- Serve: Top with salsa and cilantro, then serve hot.
This Tex-Mex twist on stuffed peppers takes 45 minutes to prepare and cook and has a total calorie count of about 350 per serving.
5. Quinoa Stuffed Bell Peppers with Veggies
For a vegetarian option that is both filling and healthy, quinoa stuffed bell peppers with veggies make for an excellent choice. The combination of zucchini, mushrooms, and tomatoes adds a rich depth of flavor to the quinoa base.
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 zucchini, diced
- 1 cup mushrooms, diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (optional)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Pre-bake the peppers by slicing them in half and removing the seeds. Drizzle with olive oil and bake for 10 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Filling: Sauté the onions, garlic, zucchini, and mushrooms in olive oil. Add diced tomatoes, cooked quinoa, and Italian seasoning. Mix well and season with salt and pepper.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill the pre-baked peppers with the quinoa and veggie mixture.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers in the oven for another 15 minutes. Add mozzarella cheese on top and bake for an additional 5 minutes until melted.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and enjoy.
Each serving contains about 220 calories and takes 45 minutes to prepare and cook, making it a light yet satisfying meal.
6. Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers
If you’re craving a cheesy, comforting meal, this cheesy stuffed bell pepper recipe is perfect. With a beef and rice filling, topped with marinara sauce and melted mozzarella, it’s sure to please any cheese lover.
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Directions:
- Prep the Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers, remove the seeds, and drizzle with olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Make the Filling: Sauté onion and garlic, then add ground beef. Cook until browned. Stir in rice, marinara sauce, and Italian seasoning.
- Stuff the Peppers: Pack the beef and rice mixture tightly into each bell pepper.
- Bake: Spoon extra marinara sauce around the peppers and bake for 30 minutes at 375°F (190°C).
- Add the Cheese: Top each pepper with mozzarella cheese and bake for an additional 10 minutes until melted.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley and serve warm.
This dish, with its gooey cheese topping, provides a satisfying meal with 350 calories per serving and a total cook time of 1 hour.
Conclusion
Stuffed bell peppers are an easy-to-make and customizable meal that can be adapted to suit any dietary preference. Whether you enjoy a classic beef and rice filling, prefer a vegetarian option, or like to spice things up with Tex-Mex flavors, there is a stuffed bell pepper recipe for every taste. These six recipes offer a range of delicious options that will impress your family and guests while offering wholesome, flavorful meals.