These hearty stuffed yellow bell peppers are loaded with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, vegetables, and topped with melted cheese—baked to tender perfection for a wholesome, comforting meal.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Classic comfort food
- Customizable filling
- Meal prep-friendly
- Balanced and satisfying
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Yellow bell peppers, halved and deseeded
- Ground beef or turkey
- Cooked rice
- Onion and garlic
- Diced tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Fresh herbs for garnish
Directions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil, add ground meat, and cook until browned.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, cooked rice, and seasoning.
- Fill each pepper half with the mixture.
- Top with cheese and cover with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes, uncover, and bake 10 more minutes to melt cheese.
- Garnish with herbs and serve hot.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
Variations
- Use quinoa instead of rice
- Add black beans or corn
- Try feta or pepper jack for a different cheese profile
Storage/Reheating
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F or microwave until heated through.
FAQs
Can I use green or red peppers instead?
Yes, any color bell pepper will work.
What kind of meat is best?
Ground beef, turkey, or even sausage are great options.
Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes, use lentils or mushrooms in place of meat.
Is it freezer-friendly?
Yes, freeze cooked peppers for up to 2 months.
Can I make this low-carb?
Use cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
Should the peppers be pre-cooked?
Not necessary, they soften while baking.
Can I use uncooked rice?
No, use cooked rice to ensure even texture.
What cheeses work best?
Mozzarella, cheddar, or a cheese blend melt well.
Can I assemble them ahead of time?
Yes, assemble and refrigerate up to 24 hours in advance.
What can I serve them with?
A simple green salad or crusty bread pairs nicely.
Conclusion
Cheesy stuffed yellow bell peppers are a vibrant, delicious, and well-rounded dish that satisfies every appetite. With a savory filling and gooey cheese topping, they’re ideal for weeknight dinners or make-ahead meals.
Print
Cheesy Stuffed Yellow Bell Peppers
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Cheesy Stuffed Yellow Bell Peppers are a savory and satisfying dish featuring sweet yellow bell peppers filled with a hearty mixture of rice, vegetables, and melted cheese. A colorful and comforting vegetarian main or side.
Ingredients
- 4 yellow bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black beans (optional)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions until translucent, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add diced tomatoes, black beans (if using), garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 2–3 minutes.
- Stir in cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese. Mix well and remove from heat.
- Stuff each bell pepper with the rice mixture and place them upright in a baking dish.
- Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining shredded cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or cilantro and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute quinoa or couscous for rice.
- Use a mix of cheeses like mozzarella and Monterey Jack for added flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- For a non-vegetarian version, add cooked ground meat or sausage.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 11g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
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