Stuffed peppers are a delightful dish that combines vibrant bell peppers with a variety of flavorful fillings for a hearty family dinner, a meal-prep solution, or a dish to impress your guests, stuffed peppers fit the bill.
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are the epitome of comfort food. Their versatility allows for endless combinations of ingredients, from classic beef and rice to vegetarian, vegan, and keto-friendly options. The peppers themselves add a natural sweetness and hold everything together, making this dish as visually appealing as it is tasty.
Tips and Tricks for Making the Best Stuffed Peppers
Choosing the Right Peppers
Opt for bell peppers that are uniform in size and have flat bottoms so they stand upright. Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers offer a more robust, slightly bitter flavor.
Pre-Cook the Peppers
Blanching the peppers for 2-3 minutes or roasting them briefly before stuffing can reduce cooking time and ensure a tender, flavorful bite.
Use a Flavorful Base
Whether it’s rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice, season your base with herbs, spices, or broth for maximum flavor.
Layer Your Fillings
Start with a small amount of cheese or sauce at the bottom of the pepper to prevent the filling from drying out.
Don’t Overfill
Leave a little space at the top to allow for the filling to expand during cooking.
Bake Covered, Then Uncover
Cover the peppers with foil for the first half of the baking time to trap steam, ensuring the peppers soften evenly. Uncover to achieve a beautifully golden topping.
Variations of Stuffed Peppers
Classic Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Ground beef, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, onions, garlic, and cheese.
- Seasonings: Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, quinoa, and shredded cheese (or vegan cheese).
- Seasonings: Cumin, chili powder, and lime juice.
Keto-Friendly Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Ground turkey, cauliflower rice, spinach, and cream cheese.
- Seasonings: Garlic powder, onion powder, and oregano.
Mediterranean-Inspired Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Ground lamb, couscous, feta cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes.
- Seasonings: Dill, parsley, and lemon zest.
Seafood Stuffed Peppers
- Ingredients: Crab or shrimp, breadcrumbs, Parmesan cheese, and cream sauce.
- Seasonings: Old Bay seasoning and fresh parsley.
Feel free to mix and match ingredients to suit your preferences!
How to Serve Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a complete meal on their own, but they pair beautifully with these sides:
- Salads: A crisp garden salad or Greek salad balances the richness of the filling.
- Breads: Serve with warm garlic bread or a crusty baguette for a comforting touch.
- Soup: Tomato or minestrone soup makes a warming starter.
For presentation, garnish with fresh herbs like parsley, cilantro, or basil. A drizzle of sour cream or balsamic glaze can add an extra layer of flavor.
How to Store Stuffed Peppers
Refrigeration
Allow the stuffed peppers to cool completely, then store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freezing
- Cooked: Wrap each pepper in plastic wrap, place them in a freezer-safe container, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Uncooked: Assemble the peppers, then freeze without baking. Thaw in the refrigerator before baking.
Reheating
- Oven: Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
- Microwave: Heat in 1-minute intervals until warmed.
Recipe FAQs
Can I Make Stuffed Peppers Ahead of Time?
Absolutely! Assemble the peppers up to 24 hours in advance, store them in the refrigerator, and bake them when ready.
What Are the Best Peppers for Stuffing?
Bell peppers are ideal due to their size and sweetness, but poblano or Anaheim peppers can be used for a spicier kick.
How Do I Prevent Soggy Peppers?
Pre-cooking the filling and avoiding overcooking the peppers helps maintain their texture.
Can I Make Stuffed Peppers Without Rice?
Yes! Replace rice with quinoa, lentils, cauliflower rice, or omit it entirely for a low-carb option.
What’s the Best Cheese for Stuffed Peppers?
Mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and feta are popular choices, but any melty cheese works.
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers are a delightful dish that combines vibrant bell peppers with a variety of flavorful fillings for a hearty family dinner, a meal-prep solution, or a dish to impress your guests, stuffed peppers fit the bill.
Ingredients
- 4-6 bell peppers: Choose any color (red, yellow, green, orange).
- 1 medium onion: Chopped.
- 14.5 oz fire-roasted tomatoes: Or diced tomatoes/tomato sauce.
- 1 jalapeño (optional): For a spicy kick.
- 1 lb ground beef: Swap with turkey, chicken, sausage, tofu, or your favorite protein.
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 5 garlic cloves: Chopped.
- 1 cup shredded cheese: Cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack.
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tbsp paprika
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper: To taste.
- 1 cup cooked rice: White, brown, or wild.
- Garnish: Fresh parsley, red pepper flakes.
Instructions
Prep the Peppers
- Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C). Bring a pot of water to boil.
- Wash and core the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds.
- Chop the extra tops (discard the stems) to use in the filling.
- Blanch the peppers for 5 minutes or roast them for 20 minutes for a smoky flavor.
- Place softened peppers in an oiled baking dish.
Cook the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté onion, chopped pepper tops, and jalapeño (if using) for 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Brown the ground beef for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Stir in fire-roasted tomatoes, rice, basil, paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook until combined.
- Mix in half the shredded cheese.
Stuff and Bake
- Fill each pepper generously with the prepared mixture.
- Top with the remaining cheese.
- Roast in the oven for 15-20 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Let cool slightly, garnish with parsley or red pepper flakes, and serve warm!
Nutrition Information
Yield
4Serving Size
1 gramsAmount Per Serving Calories 521Total Fat 29gSaturated Fat 12gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 15gCholesterol 184mgSodium 843mgCarbohydrates 7gFiber 2gSugar 2gProtein 57g
TastyFitnessRecipes.com, occasionally offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although tastyfitnessrecipes.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
Why Stuffed Peppers Should Be a Staple in Your Recipe Rotation
Stuffed peppers are the perfect blend of taste, nutrition, and versatility. They’re an excellent way to use pantry staples, minimize food waste, and create a dish that’s as nutritious as it is delicious. With countless variations and the ability to adapt to different dietary needs, stuffed peppers are a go-to recipe for any occasion.