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Cheesy Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers

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A comforting and easy dinner recipe featuring juicy ground beef, fluffy rice, and melty cheese stuffed into tender bell peppers, baked to perfection.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked long grain or jasmine rice
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 to 1½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar and/or mozzarella)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning (or mix of oregano, basil, thyme)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice off tops of peppers, remove seeds and membranes. Set hollow shells aside and chop tops finely.
  2. Cook rice if not using leftovers, about 15-20 minutes according to package instructions. Fluff and set aside to cool slightly.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and chopped pepper tops; cook 2 more minutes until fragrant.
  4. Add ground beef to skillet, break up with spoon, cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Season beef mixture with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes if using. Stir in tomato sauce and simmer 3-4 minutes.
  6. Combine beef mixture with cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese in a mixing bowl. Mix gently until combined.
  7. Fill each pepper with beef and rice mixture, packing firmly but not too tight. Place peppers upright in baking dish.
  8. Sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over tops of stuffed peppers.
  9. Cover dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  10. Let peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting. Leftover cooked rice works well. For a lighter option, swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken. For dairy-free, use vegan cheese alternatives. To prevent peppers from tipping, trim a small slice off the bottom. Cover with foil to keep peppers moist, remove foil near end for golden cheese crust. Add Worcestershire sauce for extra flavor. If peppers dry out during baking, add a tablespoon of water or broth to the dish before covering.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://avabake.com/cheesy-beef-and-rice-stuffed-peppers-easy-recipe-for-comforting-dinner/