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Easy Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe with Ground Beef and Rice

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A quick and easy recipe for stuffed bell peppers filled with savory ground beef, fluffy rice, and melty cheese, perfect for a comforting family dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar and/or mozzarella)
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning (or mix of dried basil, oregano, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off each bell pepper and remove seeds and membranes. Trim bottoms slightly if needed to stand upright. Set aside.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula. Cook until browned and no pink remains, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  5. Stir in tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let simmer on low for 5 minutes.
  6. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, beef mixture, and 1 cup shredded cheese. Mix well.
  7. Stuff each bell pepper generously with the filling, packing it but not overflowing.
  8. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top.
  9. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and browned.
  10. Let cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve.

Notes

For softer peppers, cover the dish with foil for the first 20 minutes, then uncover to brown the cheese. Slightly undercook rice if freshly made to avoid mushiness. Trim pepper bottoms just enough to stand upright without leaking filling. Prepare filling ahead and refrigerate to save time.

Nutrition

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

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