My Favorite Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Stuffed peppers are one of those meals that feel comforting and complete. A tender bell pepper filled with a savory mixture of meat, rice, and cheese. I have made them so many ways over the years. You can use ground beef, turkey, chicken, or even skip the meat altogether. In this post, I will show you how to make stuffed peppers in 10 different ways. From the original recipe to easy, healthy, crockpot, and even cream cheese versions. Let me help you make a delicious stuffed pepper dinner.

Th Stuffed Peppers JARs I Love The Most

Stuffed Peppers Original Recipe

Stuffed peppers original recipe is the classic version my grandmother made. Bell peppers are filled with a mixture of ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Then baked until tender. This stuffed peppers dish is hearty and satisfying. The blog has a video of the pepper prepping technique.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked white rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Place peppers in a baking dish.
• In a skillet, cook ground beef, onion, and garlic over medium heat until beef is browned. Drain excess fat.
• Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and oregano. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Spoon the filling into each pepper. Top with shredded cheese.
• Add 1/4 cup water to the bottom of the baking dish. Cover with foil.
• Bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10 more minutes until cheese is bubbly.
• Serve warm.

Stuffed Peppers Easy Recipe

Stuffed peppers easy recipe uses shortcut ingredients like jarred marinara sauce and instant rice. This easy stuffed peppers comes together in under an hour. Perfect for busy weeknights. The blog has a list of time saving tips.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 cup instant rice
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers as above.
• In a skillet, brown ground meat. Drain fat.
• Add instant rice, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, and 1/2 cup water. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stuff peppers. Top with cheese.

– Add water to dish, cover, and bake for 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5 more minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Healthy Recipe

Stuffed peppers healthy recipe uses lean ground turkey, quinoa instead of rice, and less cheese. These healthy stuffed peppers are low in calories but high in protein. The blog has a nutrition breakdown.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked quinoa
• 1 small zucchini, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• In a skillet, cook turkey and zucchini until turkey is browned.
• Stir in quinoa, tomatoes, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff peppers. Top with feta.
• Add water to dish, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Vegetarian Recipe

Stuffed peppers vegetarian recipe is meat free and full of flavor. I use black beans, corn, rice, and cheese. These vegetarian stuffed peppers are satisfying and colorful. The blog has a vegan option.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can black beans, rinsed
• 1 cup frozen corn, thawed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 cup salsa
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• In a bowl, mix rice, black beans, corn, onion, salsa, chili powder, and half the cheese.
• Stuff peppers. Top with remaining cheese.
• Add water to dish, cover, and bake for 30 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Crockpot Recipe

Stuffed peppers crockpot recipe is perfect for busy days. Just prepare the peppers, place in the slow cooker, and let them cook all day. These crockpot stuffed peppers become very tender. The blog has a freezer meal guide.

Ingredients

• 6 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 cup shredded cheese

How To Make

• Brown ground beef in a skillet. Drain fat.
• Mix beef with rice, tomatoes, garlic powder, and onion powder.
• Stuff peppers. Top with cheese.
• Place peppers in the crockpot. Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom.
• Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours or high for 2 to 3 hours.

Stuffed Peppers with rice recipe

Stuffed peppers with rice recipe is a classic combination. The rice absorbs all the tomato and meat flavors. This stuffed peppers rice version is simple and delicious. The blog has a tip for using leftover rice.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• Brown beef. Drain.
• Add rice, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3 minutes.
• Stuff peppers. Top with cheese.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 10 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Chicken Recipe

Stuffed peppers chicken recipe uses ground chicken for a lighter option. Add spinach and feta for a Greek twist. These chicken stuffed peppers are flavorful and healthy. The blog has a Mediterranean version.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground chicken
• 1 cup cooked quinoa or rice
• 2 cups fresh spinach, chopped
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup marinara sauce

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• Cook ground chicken in a skillet until no longer pink.
• Add spinach and cook until wilted.
• Stir in quinoa, feta, oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff peppers. Top with marinara sauce.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Beef Recipe

Stuffed peppers beef recipe is a hearty, classic version. Use ground beef with rice, tomatoes, and lots of cheese. These beef stuffed peppers are a family favorite. The blog has a grass fed beef option.

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 can crushed tomatoes
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded cheddar

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• Brown beef with onion and garlic. Drain.
• Add rice, crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and salt. Simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stuff peppers. Top with cheddar.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 10 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Cream Cheese Recipe

Stuffed peppers cream cheese recipe adds a creamy, tangy element. Mix cream cheese into the filling for a rich and velvety texture. These cream cheese stuffed peppers are indulgent. The blog has a low fat cream cheese option.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• Brown ground meat. Drain.
• Add cream cheese and stir until melted.
• Add rice, tomatoes, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Stuff peppers. Top with mozzarella.
• Bake covered for 25 minutes, then uncovered for 10 minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Sausage Recipe

Stuffed peppers sausage recipe uses Italian sausage for extra flavor. Remove the casings and crumble the sausage. These sausage stuffed peppers are spicy and savory. The blog has a sweet sausage option.

Ingredients

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds (optional)
• 1 cup shredded provolone

How To Make

• Preheat oven to 375°F. Prepare peppers.
• Cook sausage in a skillet, breaking it up, until browned.
• Stir in rice, marinara sauce, Parmesan, and fennel seeds.
• Stuff peppers. Top with provolone.
• Bake covered for 30 minutes, then uncovered for 10 minutes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use other colors of bell peppers?

Yes. Red, yellow, and orange are sweeter. Green peppers are slightly more bitter but hold their shape well.

How do I keep peppers from falling over?

Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each pepper so they stand flat. Do not cut through the pepper.

Can I freeze stuffed peppers?

Yes. Assemble uncooked peppers, wrap tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Bake from frozen, adding 15 to 20 minutes to the cooking time.

What can I use instead of rice?

Quinoa, cauliflower rice, couscous, or even breadcrumbs work well.

How do I make stuffed peppers without an oven?

Use a crockpot (as in the recipe above) or steam them in a large pot with a steamer basket.

Can I make stuffed peppers dairy free?

Yes. Omit the cheese or use dairy free cheese. Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor.

Conclusion

Stuffed peppers are a versatile, crowd pleasing meal. Whether you want the original recipe with ground beef and rice, a healthy version with turkey and quinoa, or a creamy cream cheese version, there is a recipe here for you. I hope you try the crockpot method for easy dinners or the sausage stuffed peppers for a spicy kick. The vegetarian option is great for meatless nights. Now you have everything you need to make perfect stuffed peppers. Happy cooking.