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Savory Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef

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A quick and easy recipe for hearty stuffed bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, a blend of sharp cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, and rice, baked to perfection for a comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color, red or yellow preferred for sweetness)
  • 1 pound (450g) 80/20 ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (about 200g)
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (smooth or chunky)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried oregano, basil, and thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice the tops off each bell pepper and carefully remove seeds and membranes. Rinse under cold water and drain.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for about 3 minutes until soft and translucent.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef, breaking it apart with a spatula. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Add tomato sauce and simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in cooked rice, half of the cheddar cheese, and half of the mozzarella cheese until combined.
  8. Stuff each bell pepper evenly with the beef and cheese mixture, pressing gently to fill but not overflow.
  9. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheddar and mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops.
  10. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  11. Let the peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Shake out excess water from peppers after rinsing to avoid soggy filling. Drain fat from cooked beef to prevent greasy filling. Let peppers rest after baking to allow filling to set. Tent with foil if browning too quickly. Can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option. For low-carb, replace rice with cauliflower rice.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, ground beef, cheesy stuffed peppers, easy dinner, family meal, comfort food

Find it online: https://jollyfork.com/savory-cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-ground-beef-easy-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/