Stuffed Bell Peppers are a family favorite recipe in the United States. What you stuff them with can vary widely, but most frequently you will find them stuffed with a ground meat and rice mixture. Sometimes you may find them seasoned with Tex-Mex flavorings, or you may even see them with Italian flavorings. The possibilities are endless!

Why Our Recipe

  • Simple Ingredients: Uses everyday items you likely have in your pantry.
  • Kid-Friendly: Loved by adults and kids alike for its colorful presentation and tasty filling.
  • Perfect for Any Occasion: Ideal for a weeknight dinner, potluck, or special family gathering.
Stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish.

Ingredient Notes

  • Bell Peppers: try to pick out evenly sized bell peppers that are a suitable shape to serve as containers. You can use any color.
  • Ground Beef: use a lean option for this one with either 85/15, or 93/7 fat ratios.
  • Onion and Garlic: all about that flavor. You can skip onions if you aren’t an onion person.
  • Diced Tomatoes: fresh diced tomatoes can also be used.
  • Rice: use white or brown rice. Quinoa is a great alternative.
  • Corn: Adds a sweet crunch; frozen peas or diced carrots are also great options.
  • Worcestershire Sauce: once again, all about that flavor. You could also use soy sauce, but it’s not as flavorful.
  • Cheese: try different cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella for variation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a difference between bell peppers? Which colors should I use?

While all the colors of the bell peppers can come from the same plant, there are differences. The biggest difference is the taste and nutrition between colors. Red peppers are the sweetest, followed by orange then yellow, then ending on green. All the bell peppers have similar mild heat. Any color of bell pepper can be used for stuffed bell peppers. Which you choose is a matter of personal preference. 

How can I make the peppers softer?

This recipe is written in a way that renders the pepper tender-crisp, meaning it still has a crunch to it. if you like your bell peppers to be softer instead of tender-crisp, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Then remove the aluminum foil and bake an additional 20-30 minutes until the cheese on top is bubbling and starting to brown.

Alternatively, you can also parboil them before stuffing them. Prepare the bell peppers as directed, but before stuffing, boil them in a pot of water for 5 to 10 minutes before stuffing and baking. 

Are there any low-carb options for this recipe?

Substitute rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.

Can I eat any leftover filling?

Yes, you can, but you’ll need to return the skillet to the heat and cook until the corn is heated through and the ground beef is completely cooked through.

Tips From the Chef

  • Choose the Right Peppers: Opt for bell peppers that are large, firm, and have a flat bottom. This ensures they hold more filling and stand upright easily in the baking dish.
  • Let the Cheese Crisp Up: For an extra tasty topping, allow the cheese to crisp up slightly in the oven. This can be achieved by broiling the stuffed peppers for the last few minutes of cooking time. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
A fork filled with bell pepper stuffing.

Make Ahead Instructions

Filling Preparation: The filling can be made a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.

Partial Baking: Bake the peppers without the cheese topping, cool, and refrigerate. Add cheese and reheat before serving.

Storage & Reheating Instructions

Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Freezer: Freeze individual peppers for up to 3 months. Wrap each pepper in foil and place in a freezer bag.

Reheating: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheat in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, about 20 minutes.

More Delicious Dinner Recipes

Watch the video below where Rachel will walk you through every step of this recipe. Sometimes it helps to have a visual, and we’ve always got you covered with our cooking show. You can find the complete collection of recipes on YouTube, Facebook Watch, or our Facebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes.