Classic Stuffed Peppers

A classic is something that  stands the test of time. A great example is stuffed peppers filled with ground beef and rice and topped with a seasoned tomato sauce. This comforting meal is great for company. No one will ever know this flavorful and hearty dish took about forty minutes to make. It’s a traditional favorite in many homes, and it is extremely versatile. There are about as many variations as families. Let’s look at several of them.

Carol's Kitchen Red Fruit

Originally the recipe used green peppers, but these days you can use any color you like.  Buy a variety pack of peppers and see if you like one color more than another. They are all from the same plant starting as green and maturing all the way to red.   Red peppers are the sweetest, followed by orange then yellow, then ending on green. Green has a more zesty taste which complements the beef and tomatoes. All the bell peppers have similar mild heat.  You can use lean ground beef or ground turkey and know it will be flavorful with the tomato sauce and seasonings. For vegetarian friends, try substituting mushrooms for the meat.

I like brown rice, but you can use the traditional white rice, quinoa, barley, or bulgur. For those who are avoiding grain, try it with cauliflower rice. This dish is another example of making the most of leftovers. Have left over cooked rice, quinoa, or other grains? Have some spaghetti sauce left over? Add these to your ground meat and make a special stuffed pepper for an inexpensive and hearty meal.

Have you tried pre-cooking your bell peppers? Some folks only eat this dish with a pre-cooked pepper for a softer bite. Others love the pepper straight in the oven with the filling. This extra step shortens the overall cooking time of the stuffed peppers and ensures that the filling doesn’t overcook. While I’m making the filling, I pre-cook my bell peppers in a baking dish with a little water on the bottom of the pan in a pre-heated oven. I also cover the baking dish in aluminum foil to keep in the steam, which helps the bell peppers cook.

Many recipes call for canned tomatoes but I like the fast addition of a good tomato sauce. I like a little extra on top of the pepper. Some variations involve filling the bottom of the baking dish with tomato sauce.  And a large group of recipes add grated cheese to the top of the pepper, and a few add it to the filling.

Paprika, Red Filled, Minced Meat, Stuffed Peppers

Seasonings traditionally have been Italian, but there are several versions with Mexican seasonings and Pepper Jack cheese.  Last, but not least is the pepper top. Some cooks like to bake the peppers with the top on.  Others discard the top or cut it up and add it to the filling. Basically you can re-invent the stuffed pepper with whatever you like or have in the fridge.

Classic Stuffed Peppers

Use organic when available, serves 6

Print

Classic Stuffed Peppers

This healthy stuffed peppers recipe uses an assortment of colored peppers, lean ground beef, brown rice, fresh onion and garlic, and natural tomato sauce for great taste and nutrition.
Course Main Course
Cuisine American
Keyword stuffed peppers
Servings 6

Ingredients

  • 2 green bell peppers
  • 2 red bell peppers
  • 2 yellow bell peppers
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 2 clove garlic minced
  • 1 onion chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • 2 tbsp fresh basil
  • 1 tbsp fresh oregano
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (white rice, quinoa, cauliflower rice)
  • 1 tbsp  Worcestershire sauce
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1/4 tsp optional crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or cheese of choice

Instructions

  •  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
  • Cut off top of peppers and set aside
  • Cut thin slice from bottom to keep upright
  • Remove ribs and seeds with spoon
  • Rinse out peppers and lightly salt inside
  • Place peppers in baking dish with cut side up and water in bottom
  • Cover with aluminum foil
  • Bake for about 10 minutes
  • While pre-cooking the peppers, combine beef, garlic, and onion in skillet
  • Cook over medium heat until beef is browned
  • Drain any fat
  • Remove peppers from oven and drain water
  • In bowl, mix beef, rice, parsley, basil, oregano, half a can of tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper
  • Spoon mixture evenly into peppers
  • Spoon the rest of the tomato sauce on top of peppers
  • Bake for 30 minutes
  • Sprinkle grated cheese on top before last 5 minutes of baking or when pull from oven
  • Serve hot with salad and baked potato

Enjoy!

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Carol

I was raised in Tennessee but have lived in Florida for many years. Love my small home in the Tampa Bay area and its developing garden. My decorating style is eclectic - some vintage, some cottage, all with a modern flair. Pursuing a healthier lifestyle. Spent many years in social services but am happily retired.

18 thoughts to “Classic Stuffed Peppers”

  1. Interesting post Carol … a family fav from my childhood, but I stuff them as my mom did with a meatloaf mixture (a little different than if I were cooking a meatloaf, but basically the same)…no rice or other grain tho, b/c the ground meat mixture has a little bit oats or crackers in it. Anyway, I stuff half peppers with the raw meat mixture and it all comes out done perfectly. When we had the kids at home (and we were younger and more active ;)) I always baked potatoes as well, but now we just have a big salad. ….. anyway, now I’m hungry for this meal! Wish it was on today’s menu!

  2. Congratulations! Your post was my feature pick at #ThursdayFavoriteThings this week. Visit me at https://www.marilynstreats.com on thursday morning to see your feature! All hosts choose their own features from the comments left on their blog so be sure to return to my blog to see your feature. I invite you to leave more links to be shared and commented upon. Please don’t forget to add your link numbers or post title so we can be sure to visit!

  3. My mom used to make stuffed peppers – and yours look so beautiful! Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner Party!

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