This stuffed bell peppers recipe is the perfect dish to enjoy during the spring and summer months when bell peppers are in season and at their peak freshness. These colorful peppers are filled with a delicious and healthy mixture of ground beef (or turkey), cooked rice, cherry tomatoes, and fragrant herbs, making for a hearty and flavorful meal that's perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a special occasion.
The filling is topped with crumbled feta cheese and baked until the cheese is melted and golden brown, creating a beautiful and tasty dish that's sure to impress. Whether you're looking for a healthy weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing party dish, these stuffed peppers are sure to be a hit!
Stuffed Bell Peppers Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers, any color
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup cooked rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
How to Make Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.
- Add the cooked rice and cherry tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Spoon the ground beef or turkey and rice mixture into the bell peppers until they are filled to the top.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle feta cheese over the top of each pepper.
- Return the peppers to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
Enjoy your delicious and healthy stuffed peppers as a main course or a side dish during the warmer months!
TIPS
tips for success when making this stuffed peppers recipe:
- Use ripe, firm bell peppers for the best flavor and texture. Look for peppers that have smooth skin and are free of blemishes or soft spots.
- When cutting the peppers, be sure to remove the seeds and membranes carefully to avoid damaging the pepper's structure.
- Be sure to cook the ground beef or turkey thoroughly before adding it to the filling to ensure that it's cooked all the way through.
- You can use any type of cooked rice for this recipe, but I recommend using long-grain white rice or brown rice for the best texture and flavor.
- If you want to make this recipe vegetarian, you can swap out the ground beef or turkey for cooked lentils or crumbled tofu.
- To make this recipe even healthier, you can use a mix of bell peppers and other vegetables, such as zucchini or eggplant, for the filling.
- You can also experiment with different types of cheese for the topping. Crumbled goat cheese or shredded cheddar cheese would both be delicious.
- Make sure to let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes before serving to avoid burning your mouth. Enjoy!
Recipe Card
Stuffed Bell Peppers
This stuffed bell peppers recipe is the perfect dish to enjoy during the spring and summer months when bell peppers are in season and at their peak freshness.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers, any color
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ cup cooked rice
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until browned and cooked through, about 8-10 minutes.
- Stir in salt, black pepper, oregano, and basil.
- Add the cooked rice and cherry tomatoes to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Spoon the ground beef or turkey and rice mixture into the bell peppers until they are filled to the top.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle feta cheese over the top of each pepper.
- Return the peppers to the oven and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
- Garnish with chopped parsley and serve.
What to do with Leftover Stuffed Bell Peppers
Leftover stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Here are a few ideas for what to do with the leftovers:
- Reheat the stuffed peppers in the microwave or oven and enjoy them as a quick and easy lunch or dinner.
- Chop up the leftover stuffed peppers and add them to a salad for a healthy and filling meal.
- Use the leftover filling to make a delicious omelet or frittata for breakfast or brunch.
- Puree the leftover stuffed peppers in a blender or food processor to make a flavorful and healthy soup.
- Use the leftover filling to make a delicious quesadilla or wrap for a quick and tasty lunch or snack.
With a little creativity, you can turn your leftover stuffed peppers into a variety of delicious meals and snacks!
What to Serve With Stuffed Peppers
Nutritional Information with Ground Turkey
This stuffed peppers recipe is not only delicious, but it's also a healthy and balanced meal that's perfect for those who are looking to eat healthily. The combination of ground turkey, rice, and vegetables creates a dish that's high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients while being low in calories and fat.
Each stuffed pepper contains approximately 230 calories, 15 grams of protein, 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 9 grams of fat, making it a well-balanced meal that's filling and satisfying. Additionally, the dish is gluten-free, and you can easily make it dairy-free by omitting the feta cheese or using a plant-based alternative.
The peppers are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber, while the ground turkey provides high-quality protein and essential minerals like iron and zinc. The rice adds complex carbohydrates and B-vitamins, while the cherry tomatoes add a dose of antioxidants and flavor. The feta cheese provides a tangy and salty flavor, as well as calcium and protein.
Made with Ground Beef Nutritional Info
This stuffed peppers recipe can be made with lean ground beef instead of ground turkey, and it's still a healthy and balanced meal that's perfect for those who are looking to eat healthily. The combination of lean ground beef, rice, and vegetables creates a dish that's high in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients while being low in calories and fat.
Each stuffed pepper made with lean ground beef contains approximately 250 calories, 18 grams of protein, 20 grams of carbohydrates, and 10 grams of fat, making it a well-balanced meal that's filling and satisfying. Additionally, the dish is gluten-free, and you can easily make it dairy-free by omitting the feta cheese or using a plant-based alternative.
The peppers are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber, while the lean ground beef provides high-quality protein and essential minerals like iron and zinc. The rice adds complex carbohydrates and B-vitamins, while the cherry tomatoes add a dose of antioxidants and flavor. The feta cheese provides a tangy and salty flavor, as well as calcium and protein.
This stuffed peppers recipe made with lean ground beef is a healthy and delicious meal that's perfect for anyone who's looking to eat healthily without sacrificing taste or flavor.
USDA Food Safety Note - Make sure to cook ground meat to 160 degrees F.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!