These Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are loaded with a savory mixture of seasoned meat, rice, and melted cheese, then baked to perfection. A comforting, flavorful, and easy meal perfect for weeknights!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American / Italian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
- Prepare Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.
- Cook Meat: In a skillet, cook ground beef/turkey over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Add Flavor: Stir in onions, garlic, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, paprika, and marinara sauce. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix Filling: Combine cooked rice with the meat mixture.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the filling into each bell pepper, pressing down slightly.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the stuffed peppers.
- Bake: Place in the baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish & Serve: Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve hot!
Notes
- Swap ground beef for chicken or plant-based crumbles for a healthier option.
- Use quinoa instead of rice for extra protein and fiber.
- Add diced tomatoes or mushrooms to the filling for more flavor.
Find it online: https://tastyera.com/cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers/