These Easy Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe has been in my dinner repertoire for years. This classic recipe is made with simple ingredients and takes a couple of steps, but they come out delicious every time.
Fresh green bell peppers are filled with a savory beefy tomato rice filling and are topped with melted cheese. This bell pepper recipe is a classic recipe and is a lovely idea for Sunday dinner.
This is one of our easy beef dinner recipes you will want to bookmark for later.
This recipe is a go to for me and is very economical when ground beef and peppers are on sale.
Why Try this Recipe
Delicious. This easy stuffed peppers recipe is a classic favorite dish. This delicious meal is great for a dinner idea with the tasty combination of flavors and fresh peppers.
Easy Recipe. This really is a simple recipe, there are a few steps involved but you can prepare some ahead of time. it is great way to make ahead for later.
Classic. This easy meal idea is a family favorite and a good recipe for a dinner party with family or friends.
Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe Ingredients
- green peppers
- ground beef - I use a 80/20 lean ground beef
- onion - I prefer the flavors of white or yellow onion for this
- tomato sauce
- Cooked rice white or brown rice
- Mozzarella cheese
- salt
- sugar
- garlic clove or garlic powder
- black pepper
- Fresh basil or dried basil
Equipment and Kitchen Tools
- large stock pot or dutch oven
- large skillet
- square or round baking dish
Variations and Substitutions
- pepper colors - I used green peppers, but you could use yellow peppers or red peppers or orange bell peppers.
- cheese - You could change up the cheese and use Cheddar cheese or Monterey jack cheese or any combination.
- Ground Turkey - You can sub ground turkey or even ground chicken for the ground beef.
- Brown rice - I make these with white rice, but they can be made with cooked brown rice.
How to Make Stuffed Bell Peppers
Step by Step Overview
Step 1 - Wash the peppers and cut off the tops.
Step 2 - Blanch the peppers in water. See tips regarding blanching.
Step 3 - Prepare the ground meat filling on the stove top.
Step 4 - Spoon the ground beef mixture into the pepper shells.
Step 5 - if desired you can spoon a little more tomato sauce on top.
Step 6 - Add shredded cheese to the top of the peppers and bake in the oven.
I like to serve with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese .
What to Serve with Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Pasta - Stuffed peppers are great when served with pasta. I like spaghetti, rotini or linguini.
- Steamed Vegetables: Serve steamed vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, or green beans for a healthy option.
- Potatoes - Baked or air fried potatoes are also delicious with these stuffed peppers.
- Green Salad - A simple green salad made with cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, and a light dressing is a refreshing side dish for stuffed peppers.
- Cauliflower rice and corn salad also make great side dishes
- Garlic Bread - A crusty bread like this crusty baguette garlic bread or dinner rolls as a side dish. They are the best sides for dipping into the flavorful juices of the stuffed peppers.
Any combination of the above is the perfect accompaniment to this classic dish
Timesaving Tips for this Recipe
- Blanching Bell Peppers - Cook peppers in boiling water 3-4 minutes. When done, quickly remove them from the boiling water with a slotted spoon and plunge them into some cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Double the recipe and freeze the stuffed bell peppers for a meal later on. 'Double the recipe and freeze the stuffed bell peppers for a meal later on.
- Prepare the rice ahead of time in a rice cooker or on the stove top so it is ready to go.
- Store baked bell peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
- The original recipe for these comes from Betty Crocker in one of my early cookbooks. Since then I have updated these and added some spices to ramp up the flavor. I love it when I can mix ingredients up and change up a recipe.
Don't forget to bookmark this recipe.
For more great ground beef dinner ideas, check out:
- Ground Beef Pasta - A delicious one pot pasta made with zucchini and ground beef.
- Easy Cavatappi Pasta – A fun twist on pasta made with ground beef and vegetables.
- Taco Pasta with Ground Beef -This One Pot Taco Pasta with Ground Beef comes together quickly in a single skillet!
- One-Pot Beef Pasta – A delicious pasta recipe with ground beef and vegetables made in a single pan.
📖 Recipe
Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 lb. ground beef
- ¼ cup onion chopped
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ teaspoons sugar
- 1 clove garlic crushed
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup cooked rice white or brown
- 2 leaves fresh basil or 1 teaspoon dried basil
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of water over medium heat.
- Prepare the peppers by washing and cutting off tops of the peppers and removing the seeds.
- Place peppers in the water and blanch the peppers about 3-4 minutes.
- Place blanched peppers in a baking pan, opening side up and set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees f.
- In a large skillet, cook the hamburger and onion over medium heat until hamburger is brown.
- Drain thoroughly and break up hamburger.
- Add rice, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, garlic, and black pepper to mixture and combine.
- Stuff each pepper to nearly the top with hamburger mixture. Top with cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes in preheated oven.
Nutrition
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Tamara
My stomach is growling for this! We grow bell peppers in our garden but I can't wait this long. I'll add peppers to our shopping list!
Debbie Manno
I have not made this recipe in years, but I too have the very same one. I know what I am making for dinner soon. Happy Easter.
Pattie @ Olla-Podrida
I am alone in my love for stuffed peppers in this house, which is why I never make them. But your photos have my mouth watering, so I think I need to start!
Raquel
LOL! Thank you Pattie! They really are tasty!