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Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe Easy Comfort Meal

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A warm and comforting dish featuring bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef, rice, and topped with melted cheddar cheese. Perfect for busy weeknights or cozy dinners.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color, tops cut off and seeds removed)
  • 1 pound (450 g) ground beef (preferably lean, 85% lean works well)
  • 1 cup (185 g) cooked white rice (long grain or jasmine preferred)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (120 g) shredded cheddar cheese (sharp or mild)
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) tomato sauce or marinara
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Optional garnishes: Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped; Sour cream or Greek yogurt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers: Cut off the tops and carefully remove seeds and membranes. Rinse and pat dry.
  3. Cook the rice: Bring 2 cups (475 ml) of water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add 1 cup (185 g) of rice, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
  4. Sauté the beef mixture: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and minced garlic, cooking until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Season the beef: Stir in smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Add tomato sauce and simmer gently for 3-5 minutes.
  6. Mix rice and beef: Remove skillet from heat and stir in cooked rice. If desired, fold in chopped pepper tops.
  7. Stuff the peppers: Fill each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing gently but not overstuffing. Place upright in a baking dish.
  8. Add cheese topping: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over each stuffed pepper.
  9. Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Rest and serve: Let cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and a dollop of sour cream if desired.

Notes

If peppers seem dry during baking, add a splash of water or broth to the bottom of the dish before covering with foil. Keep an eye on the cheese near the end to avoid burning. For a flat base, trim a thin slice off the bottom of each pepper to prevent tipping. Pre-cook rice to ensure even cooking. Drain excess fat from beef to avoid soggy peppers.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/cheesy-ground-beef-stuffed-bell-peppers-recipe-easy-comfort-meal/