Print

Cozy Loaded Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice

cozy loaded stuffed bell peppers with rice - featured image
Print Recipe

A comforting and hearty stuffed bell pepper recipe filled with seasoned ground meat, rice, and melty cheese, perfect for cozy dinners and quick weeknight meals.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers, any color
  • 1 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken (lean options work well)
  • 1 cup cooked long-grain white or brown rice, cooled
  • 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes, canned or fresh, drained
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar or mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce, plain or with herbs (optional)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1/4 tsp chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing seeds and membranes. Trim bottoms slightly if needed for stability.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another minute.
  5. Add ground meat, crumble and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cumin, and chili powder.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked meat mixture, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce if using. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Stuff each bell pepper with the filling, pressing down lightly to pack without overstuffing. Place peppers upright in a baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over each stuffed pepper.
  9. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and slightly browned. Cover loosely with foil if cheese browns too quickly.
  10. Remove from oven, let cool for a few minutes, then garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro. Serve warm.

Notes

Use day-old rice for better texture. Don’t overstuff peppers to avoid spills. Brown meat well and drain excess fat. Cover with foil if cheese browns too fast. Trim pepper bottoms for stability. Can prep and stuff peppers a day ahead and refrigerate before baking.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, cozy dinner, ground meat recipe, easy weeknight meal, cheesy stuffed peppers, rice stuffed peppers

Find it online: https://realityeats.com/cozy-loaded-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-rice-easy-recipe-to-try-today/