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Cozy Cheesy Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers

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A comforting and easy-to-make stuffed peppers recipe featuring seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheddar cheese baked inside tender bell peppers. Perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup (190g) cooked white rice
  • 1 medium onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup (120ml) tomato sauce
  • 1 cup (115g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt to taste (about 1 teaspoon)
  • Black pepper to taste (about ½ teaspoon)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme blend)
  • Optional: ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice off the tops of the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside the tops if desired.
  3. If not using leftover rice, cook ½ cup (95g) uncooked white rice according to package instructions to yield about 1 cup cooked. Let cool slightly.
  4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and cook until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  5. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
  6. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up and cook until no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  7. Stir in tomato sauce, cooked rice, dried Italian herbs, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Cook for 2 minutes to combine flavors, then remove from heat.
  8. Spoon the beef and rice mixture into the hollowed peppers, packing gently but not overstuffing. Arrange stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish.
  9. Sprinkle about ¼ cup (28g) shredded cheddar cheese on top of each pepper.
  10. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden and bubbly.
  11. Let the stuffed peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If peppers brown too quickly, tent loosely with foil halfway through baking. Use day-old rice to avoid sogginess. Drain excess fat from beef to prevent greasy filling. For extra cheesy tops, add half the cheese before baking and the rest under the broiler for the last 5 minutes. Can be made in slow cooker or Instant Pot with adjusted cooking times.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, beef stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food, ground beef recipe, rice stuffed peppers

Find it online: https://forkifyfun.com/cozy-cheesy-beef-and-rice-stuffed-peppers-recipe-easy-dinner-idea/