Classic American Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers
These Classic American Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers are a hearty and flavorful dish, perfect for a satisfying meal. Bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, then baked until tender and topped with bubbly cheese.
Equipment
- Oven
- Large skillet or Dutch oven
- Baking dish
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 6 large bell peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 medium onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 14.5 ounce can crushed tomatoes
- 1/2 cup cooked rice
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C), then slice bell peppers in half and remove seeds and membranes. Par-boil or pre-bake peppers until slightly tender and set aside.
Cooking the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet, cook chopped onion until softened, then add minced garlic and cook until fragrant.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, cook until browned, and drain any excess grease.
- Stir in crushed tomatoes, cooked rice, and Italian seasoning, then cook for 2-3 minutes to meld flavors.
Assembly and Baking
- Arrange prepped bell pepper halves in a baking dish and generously spoon the ground beef filling into each half.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese and breadcrumbs over the filled peppers.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes, then remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until tender and golden.
- Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving.
Notes
For an extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. You can also experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or a Mexican blend.