Description
Mexican-inspired stuffed bell peppers bring colorful layers of savory goodness to your dinner table. Hearty rice, seasoned ground beef, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef or ground turkey
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Grains, Seasonings, and Dairy:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish for the bell peppers by placing them upright after removing their tops and seeds.
- Brown ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, then incorporate diced onions and minced garlic, cooking until onions become translucent.
- Add cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the meat mixture, stirring thoroughly and simmering for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Carefully fill each bell pepper with the prepared meat mixture, pressing down gently to ensure a compact filling, then generously sprinkle shredded cheese on top.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes to allow peppers to soften and flavors to meld.
- Uncover the dish and continue baking for an additional 5-10 minutes until the cheese turns golden and bubbly, and the peppers reach desired tenderness.
- Remove from the oven and let the stuffed peppers rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the filling to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Vary pepper colors for a vibrant, visually appealing dish that adds excitement to the dinner table.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian alternative that doesn’t compromise on flavor.
- Prep peppers ahead of time and refrigerate stuffed peppers before baking to streamline weeknight meal preparation and save precious cooking time.
- Add a sprinkle of fresh herbs like parsley or basil after baking to brighten the dish and introduce a fresh, aromatic element that elevates the overall taste profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg