Description
This recipe for Stuffed Peppers features bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and aromatic seasonings, baked to tender perfection and topped with melted Monterey jack cheese and fresh parsley. It’s a hearty, comforting meal perfect for dinner.
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
- 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
- 2 Tbsp. tomato paste
- 1 lb. ground beef
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 6 bell peppers, tops and cores removed
- 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Chopped fresh parsley, for serving
Instructions
- Step: Arrange a rack in the center of your oven and preheat it to 400°F (200°C).
- Step: In a large skillet over medium heat, warm 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 7 minutes.
- Step: Stir in the finely chopped garlic and tomato paste, cooking until fragrant for about 1 more minute.
- Step: Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until the meat is no longer pink, roughly 6 minutes.
- Step: Stir in the cooked rice and diced tomatoes, and season the mixture with dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper to your taste.
- Step: Let the mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the liquid reduces slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Step: Arrange the hollowed-out bell peppers cut side up in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Drizzle a little extra olive oil over the peppers.
- Step: Spoon the beef and rice mixture evenly into each pepper, filling them generously.
- Step: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to retain moisture during baking.
- Step: Bake the covered peppers in the preheated oven for about 35 minutes, or until the peppers are tender when pierced with a fork.
- Step: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded Monterey jack cheese evenly over each stuffed pepper, and return the dish to the oven uncovered.
- Step: Bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Step: Once baked, sprinkle the stuffed peppers with chopped fresh parsley for a bright, fresh finish before serving.
Notes
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option. If preferred, use brown rice for added fiber and a nuttier flavor. Feel free to customize the seasoning with additional herbs like basil or thyme. Prepare peppers in advance and refrigerate before baking for a meal prep option. Use different varieties of bell peppers for a colorful presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 26 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
Keywords: stuffed peppers, ground beef, rice, dinner, baked, cheese
