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Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Beef

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A comforting and easy recipe featuring bell peppers stuffed with a juicy, well-seasoned ground beef mixture and topped with melted cheese. Perfect for a quick weeknight dinner that feels special and satisfying.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color, red or yellow preferred for sweetness)
  • 1 lb lean ground beef (80/20 mix)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice (about 200 g)
  • 1 cup tomato sauce or marinara (240 ml)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (about 100 g)
  • ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 50 g)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Rinse lightly and set aside to dry. If peppers don’t stand upright, slice a thin layer off the bottom to stabilize.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for about 3 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until browned and no longer pink, about 7-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Stir in tomato sauce, cooked rice, oregano, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors. Remove from heat and fold in half of the shredded cheese.
  5. Spoon beef mixture evenly into each pepper cavity, pressing gently to pack. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over the tops.
  6. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Let cool a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley.

Notes

Do not overcook peppers before stuffing to avoid mushiness. Drain fat from beef to prevent runny filling. If filling is too wet, add breadcrumbs to bind. Use a mix of mozzarella and cheddar for best melt and flavor. Fresh herbs like parsley brighten the dish. Can be made ahead and frozen before baking.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://emmayum.com/cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-beef-recipe-5-easy-steps-for-comfort-food-bliss/