Description
Cozy comfort food in a baked bell pepper, filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and golden melted cheddar cheese. A quick, budget-friendly, and family-approved meal that feels indulgent yet effortless.
Ingredients
2 large bell peppers (halved and seeds removed)
1 lb lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked white rice
1 (24 oz) jar tomato sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp water (for rice)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a skillet, heat oil, onions, and garlic until onions soften.
Add ground beef and cook until browned; drain excess fat.
Stir in garlic, Italian seasoning, cumin, salt, and pepper.
Add rice and 2 tbsp water; cook until water absorbs.
In a bowl, mix beef-and-rice mixture with half the tomato sauce.
Stuff bell pepper halves with filling and place in a baking dish.
Top each pepper with remaining tomato sauce and cheddar cheese.
Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until golden.
Notes
Use zucchini instead of peppers for a twist if desired.
For less meat, add diced carrots or corn in the filling.
Rice may be substituted with quinoa or couscous.
Best served warm; leftover peppers can be frozen in an airtight container for up to 1 month.
- Prep Time: 15
- Cook Time: 35
- Category: beef
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed bell pepper
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 75mg