Stuffed Peppers

This classic Stuffed Peppers recipe is the ultimate all-in-one weeknight meal, with tender bell peppers filled with a hearty, flavorful blend of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and cheese. It gives you all of the food groups in one tidy, delicious package.

Why You’ll Love These Classic Stuffed Peppers

• Easy All-In-One-Meal. Each stuffed pepper is its own package of vegetables, protein, and whole grains. Like my Stuffed Zucchini, this is a one-and-done dinner that’s fabulous for busy weeknights. You don’t even need to cook peppers before filling them—just pour a bit of water into the pan to ensure they soften quickly and properly.
• Budget-Friendly. Stuffed peppers turn humble, affordable ingredients like rice and ground beef into a well-rounded meal (don’t miss these other Ground Beef Dinner Ideas for more wallet-friendly meals).
• Loved the World Over. Similar to Cabbage Rolls, different cultures have different variations on this recipe, but these are the best stuffed peppers if you’re looking for that classic version so many of us grew up with. Feel free to change up the kind of meat, swap the rice for another grain (like in Quinoa Stuffed Peppers), or use whatever cheese is in your refrigerator.
• Meal Prep and Freezer-Friendly. Don’t miss all of my tips below to make this recipe in advance to enjoy this week, or months from now. Meal prep options make these perfect for a weeknight dinner!

How to Make Easy Stuffed Peppers

The Ingredients

• Bell Peppers. Vitamin-rich (especially vitamin C) and fiber-rich bell peppers act as a healthy, colorful, and tender vessel for the flavorful filling. Use any mixture of colors you desire. Red are my favorite, but green work too!
• Ground Beef. Not just for Hamburger Casserole, lean ground beef is a wonderful source of protein. It’s hearty and pairs nicely with the spices, tomatoes, and cheeses. You could also make these stuffed peppers with ground turkey, chicken, or sausage (Italian or regular).
• Brown Rice. To cook rice, see How to Cook Brown Rice on the stove top, or make Instant Pot Brown Rice. For stuffed peppers without rice, try this recipe with quinoa, farro, cauliflower rice, or al dente orzo instead.
• Fire-Roasted Tomatoes. A can of diced fire-roasted tomatoes is a simple change that adds a more complex flavor without sacrificing moisture.
• Fresh Spinach. Fresh spinach cooks down and blends seamlessly into the filling. Swap for other greens of your choice if you don’t enjoy spinach. Try stuffed peppers with sautéed kale or wilted Swiss chard.
• Cheeses. Because stuffed peppers with cheese is a true crowd-pleaser! I used a combination of pepper jack cheese and sharp cheddar cheese. If you want a less spicy version of the recipe, swap the pepper Jack for more cheddar, or use gouda, muenster, or mozzarella.
• Spices. Italian seasoning, cumin, garlic powder (which is quicker and easier than garlic cloves), salt, and pepper make this from-scratch filling far from one-note.

The Directions

1. Slice the Bell Peppers. Lay them in a baking dish.

2. Brown the Beef. Add the seasonings.

3. Add the Spinach. It will wilt pretty quickly.

4. Add the Tomatoes. Canned is perfect and gives a more interesting texture than tomato sauce.

5. Add the Grains and Cheese. Rice and quinoa are my favorites. I love a mix of cheeses.

6. Fill the Peppers. Then top with more cheese!
7. Pour a Little Water in the Dish. This is my trick so you don’t have to precook the peppers.
8. Bake. Cook stuffed peppers in the oven at 375 degrees F until tender. ENJOY!

Recipe Variations

• Culturally Inspired. Italian Stuffed Peppers with mozzarella cheese, Greek Stuffed Peppers with feta, and Southwest Mexican Stuffed Peppers with black beans are tasty riffs.
• Un-stuffed. This Stuffed Pepper Casserole has the same ingredients and flavors, just deconstructed.
• Vegetarian. Vegan Stuffed Peppers are every bit as satisfying, no meat needed. Or make easy vegetarian stuffed peppers by following the recipe above and using plant-based ground beef.
• Pesto. Stir several spoonfuls of Basil Pesto into your filling, or dollop it on top.
• Varied Preparation Methods. Grilled Stuffed Peppers, Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers, and yes, Crockpot Stuffed Peppers all have their place.
• Creative. Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers are my husband’s forever fave.

Topping Suggestions

• Fresh Herbs. A sprinkle of parsley or cilantro would be delicious, fresh, and colorful.
• Greek Yogurt. Instead of sour cream, try cool, thick, and creamy plain Greek yogurt. It’s tangy and scrumptious on stuffed peppers.
• Avocado. Sliced avocado is always a good choice.
• Salsa. You’re missing out if you’ve never tried stuffed peppers with salsa. It’s an excellent way to add a little extra kick to this dish.

Make-Ahead and Storage Tips

• To Store. Refrigerate peppers in an airtight storage container for up to 4 days.
• To Reheat. Rewarm leftovers in a baking dish in the oven at 350 degrees F.
• To Freeze. Freeze peppers in an airtight, freezer-safe storage container for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers

• Cornbread. Try Cornbread Muffins or bake up a pan of Mexican Cornbread.
• Sautéed Vegetables. Whip up Sautéed Spinach or Sautéed Cabbage on the stove while the peppers bake.
• Sweet Potatoes. One of my favorite vegetables to pair with peppers. Try Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, or Roasted Sweet Potatoes.
• Salad. Freshen up your plate with Strawberry Spinach Salad or Fruit Salad.

Recommended Tools to Make this Recipe

• Dutch Oven. The perfect cookware item for preparing the pepper filling.
• Baking Dish. You’ll use this beautiful dish on repeat.
• Hamburger Chopper. The ideal tool for stirring and breaking up ground meat.

Recipe Tips and Tricks

• Keep the Peppers from Getting Soggy. Don’t overbake your peppers. They will get mushy and soggy if cooked too long. Also, avoid adding extra liquids to the filling before baking to keep the stuffed peppers from getting soggy.
• Make Sure the Peppers are Fork Tender. While you don’t want your peppers soggy, you certainly don’t want them underdone. When properly baked, you should be able to easily pierce the stuffed peppers with a fork. If the peppers aren’t tender when the cheese is melted, and the filling is hot, simply tent the pan with foil and continue baking until they are. The amount of time you need can vary based on your oven, baking pan, and pepper size.
• Cut the Pepper in Half from Stem to End. When making stuffed peppers in the oven, I find splitting them from top to bottom best. It allows you to lay the peppers flat on their back in the baking dish, which makes for easier stuffing. If all of your peppers don’t fit in one pan, you can bake the extras in a second, smaller baking dish such as an 8×8-inch pan.

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