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Cozy Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef and Rice

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A warm and cheesy stuffed bell pepper recipe featuring ground beef, rice, and melty cheese, perfect for a quick and comforting weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers, any color, tops cut off and seeds removed
  • 1 pound lean or regular ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara
  • 1 to 1.5 cups shredded sharp cheddar or a mix of cheddar and mozzarella (100-150g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano or Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (optional)
  • A handful fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut off tops of bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside to dry.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for about 3 minutes until soft and translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef, break up with a spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Season meat mixture with salt, pepper, dried oregano, and smoked paprika if using. Stir and cook for another minute.
  6. Mix in cooked rice and tomato sauce. Stir until well blended and heated through. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  7. Place bell peppers upright in a baking dish. Spoon beef and rice mixture into each pepper, packing gently but not overstuffing, leaving room at the top for cheese.
  8. Top each pepper with a generous handful of shredded cheese.
  9. Bake uncovered for 30-35 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
  10. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

If peppers aren’t softening enough, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Avoid overstuffing to prevent filling spillover and burning. Use cooked rice to maintain texture. Broil for 2-3 minutes at the end for a crusty cheese top if desired.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/cozy-cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-beef-and-rice-easy-recipe/