Perfect Stuffed Peppers Recipe
The Ultimate Stuffed Peppers are a versatile dish filled with rice, meat (or plant-based protein), veggies, and cheese. It serves 4, takes 15–20 minutes to prep, and 35 minutes to cook. With around 350–450 calories per serving, it's a nutritious, customizable meal suitable for various diets.
Equipment
- Baking dish To bake the stuffed peppers.
- Large skillet For sautéing the filling ingredients.
- Knife and chopping board To chop vegetables and meat.
- Spoon For stuffing the peppers with the filling.
- Aluminum foil To cover the peppers while baking.
- Oven For baking the stuffed peppers.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons To measure ingredients accurately.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cooked rice
- 1 Ib Ground meat or plant-based protein
- 1 medium Onion, chopped
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 cup Diced tomatoes
- ½ cup Black beans (optional)
- 1 tsp Smoked paprika
- 1 tsp Cumin
- ½ tsp Chili powder
- ½ cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the Bell Peppers:- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).- Trim the stems off the peppers and remove seeds and inner lining. - Save the tops for presentation or discard them.- Brush the peppers lightly with olive oil and place them in a baking dish.
- Sauté the Filling:- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil.- Sauté chopped onion and garlic until softened and slightly browned.- Add ground beef (or your preferred protein) and cook until browned.- Season with smoked paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.
- Add the Remaining Filling Ingredients:- Stir in diced tomatoes, black beans, and cooked rice.- Cook for about 5 minutes to blend the flavors.- Remove from heat and mix in shredded cheese until slightly melted.
- Stuff the Peppers:- Fill each prepared bell pepper generously with the mixture.- Top with additional shredded mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the Stuffed Peppers:- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake at 325°F (160°C) for 25 minutes.- Remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden brown and bubbly.
- Serve and Garnish:- Let the stuffed peppers cool for 5 minutes.- Garnish with fresh parsley, a dollop of sour cream, or a squeeze of lime.
