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Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

Nothing beats the nostalgic aroma of classic comfort food like Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers baking in the oven.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Course  Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 4
Calories 420 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 4 large bell peppers mixed colors
  • 1 lb ground beef 80/20 preferred
  • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • 1 medium onion finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 15 oz can tomato sauce
  • 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions
 

Preheat Oven

  • Set oven to 375°F. Lightly grease 9x13 baking dish.

Prepare Peppers

  • Slice tops off bell peppers. Remove seeds and membranes carefully.

Parboil Peppers

  • Boil peppers upright in salted water 3 minutes. Drain upside down.

Sauté Onion

  • Heat olive oil in skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion.

Cook Onion Soft

  • Cook onion 4 minutes until translucent and fragrant.

Add Garlic

  • Stir in minced garlic cloves. Cook 30 seconds until aromatic.

Brown Ground Beef

  • Add ground beef. Cook until completely browned. Drain excess fat.

Season Filling

  • Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, black pepper. Stir thoroughly.

Add Tomatoes

  • Pour in diced tomatoes with juice. Simmer 2 minutes.

Mix Rice Thoroughly

  • Stir in cooked rice and 1/2 cup tomato sauce until combined.

Stuff Peppers Generously

  • Fill each pepper to top with meat-rice filling mixture.

Arrange in Dish

  • Place stuffed peppers upright close together in baking dish.

Add Tomato Sauce

  • Pour remaining tomato sauce around base of peppers.

Cover with Foil

  • Cover baking dish tightly with aluminum foil.

Bake Covered First

  • Bake 40 minutes until peppers tenderize completely.

Add Cheese Topping

  • Remove foil. Sprinkle cheddar cheese generously on peppers.

Bake Uncovered Finish

  • Bake additional 15-20 minutes until cheese bubbles golden.

Garnish and Rest

  • Sprinkle fresh parsley. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

    • Parboiling essential for tender pepper texture that melts in mouth.
    • 80/20 ground beef delivers superior flavor from rendered fat.
    • Day-old cooked rice absorbs flavors better than freshly steamed.
    • Ground turkey substitute creates lighter weeknight version easily.
    • Bacon crumbles mixed in add irresistible smoky dimension.
    • Mozzarella swap creates perfect Italian restaurant melt.
    • Hot Italian sausage transforms into spicy family favorite instantly.
Keyword Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe