Stuffed Peppers Recipe with Ground Beef and Rice
These easy stuffed peppers are a hearty, flavorful dinner made with tender bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, rich tomato sauce, and melted cheese. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or family comfort food, this classic stuffed pepper recipe is wholesome, satisfying, and packed with delicious flavor.
How to Make Stuffed Peppers
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C) so it’s fully heated and ready for the peppers. Prepare the bell peppers by removing the stems and slicing each pepper in half lengthwise. Carefully remove all of the seeds and membranes from the inside. Place the peppers cut-side down onto a baking sheet with a thin layer of water added to the bottom of the pan. This helps steam the peppers slightly while baking, creating perfectly tender peppers without drying them out. Bake the peppers for about 20 minutes, or until they begin to soften.
While the peppers are baking, heat a large frying pan over medium heat with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the diced onions and sauté them for about 6 minutes until softened and lightly golden. Stir in the diced garlic and continue cooking for another minute until fragrant. This creates a flavorful base for the filling and adds rich savory flavor to these easy homemade stuffed peppers.
Add the lean ground beef to the pan and season generously with salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook the beef thoroughly, breaking it apart as it browns, until no pink remains. The spices add warmth, smokiness, and just a subtle amount of heat that pairs perfectly with the sweet roasted peppers.
Once the beef is fully cooked, stir in the corn, crushed tomatoes, and green onions. Continue cooking for another 5 minutes until everything is fully heated through and the flavors have blended together. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cooked rice, freshly chopped cilantro, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. The rice helps make the filling hearty and satisfying, while the melted cheese brings everything together into a rich, comforting filling.
Carefully remove the softened peppers from the oven and drain any excess water from the baking sheet. Spoon the beef and rice mixture generously into each pepper half, filling them completely. Sprinkle the remaining cheese evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers before returning them to the oven. Bake for another 10–15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the peppers are fully tender.
Once baked, remove the peppers from the oven and allow them to cool slightly before serving. These classic stuffed peppers are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for family dinners, meal prep, or cozy comfort food any night of the week.
Storage
Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Freeze fully cooked stuffed peppers for up to 3 months.
Reheat in the oven, microwave, or air fryer until heated through.
Meal Prep Tip: Stuffed peppers are excellent for make-ahead lunches or dinners.
Ingredients
Bell Peppers: Red, orange, and yellow bell peppers add sweetness, vibrant color, and tender texture to these easy homemade stuffed peppers. Roasting the peppers softens them beautifully while balancing the savory filling. This Chicken Stir-Fry Recipe also uses fresh bell peppers.
Lean Ground Beef: creates a hearty, flavorful filling that is also packed with protein and rich savory flavor.
Salt: enhances all of the ingredients and helps season the filling thoroughly.
Black Pepper: adds mild warmth and savory depth to the beef mixture.
Paprika: provides smoky flavor and subtle sweetness that pairs perfectly with the peppers and beef.
Chili Flakes: add optional heat and bold flavor for a slightly spicy Tex-Mex twist.
Yellow Onion: creates a flavorful aromatic base while adding sweetness and texture.
Garlic Cloves: Fresh garlic adds rich savory flavor and enhances the overall depth of the filling.
Corn: adds sweetness, texture, and classic Tex-Mex flavor to the stuffing mixture.
Crushed Tomatoes: create moisture and a rich tomato flavor while helping bind the filling together.
Green Onions: add mild onion flavor and freshness throughout the filling.
Cooked Rice: Rice makes the filling hearty, satisfying, and perfectly balanced while absorbing all the delicious flavors.
Fresh Cilantro: adds brightness and fresh herb flavor that complements the Tex-Mex ingredients beautifully.
Tex-Mex Cheese: melts beautifully and adds creamy, cheesy richness to every bite.
Try these other easy ground beef dinner recipes.
- Ground Beef Tacos
- Beef & Noodle Stir Fry
- Ground Beef Taco Salad
- Stuffed Pasta Shells
- Juicy. Homemade Meatballs
- Nacho Casserole Recipe
Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients
- 6 red orange, and/or yellow bell peppers, cut in half and the seeds removed
- 1 lb. lean ground beef
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 2 tsp. paprika
- 2 tsp. chili flakes you can omit if you want less spice
- 1/2 yellow onion diced
- 4 garlic cloves diced
- 1 c. canned or frozen corn
- 8 oz. crushed tomatoes
- 4 green onions diced
- 2 c. cooked rice
- 1/2 c. fresh cilantro chopped
- 2 c. Tex-Mex cheese
Instructions
- Preheat oven 400℉/200℃/Gas Mark 6.
- Remove the stems from the bell peppers and chop each of them in half. Remove the seeds. Place the face down onto a baking sheet that has a thin layer of water on it. Bake for 20 minutes until tender.
- Heat a pan on the stovetop with about 2 tbsp of olive oil on it. Add the diced onions and fry for about 6 minutes. Add the diced garlic and continue to fry for another minute.
- Add the lean ground beef to the frying pan and season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and chili flakes. Cook until no more pink is seen.
- Add the corn, crushed tomatoes, and green onions to the frying pan and cook for another 5 minutes or until fully heated through.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the rice, chopped cilantro, and 1 c. of cheese.
- Remove the peppers from the oven and drain the water. Stuff each of the peppers with the beef mixture, sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top of each pepper, and continue to bake for another 10-15 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool, and enjoy!
Notes
Author: Sarah Young
Stuffed Peppers FAQ
Can I make stuffed peppers ahead of time?
Yes, assemble them in advance and refrigerate until ready to bake.
What peppers work best?
Large bell peppers in any color work best.
Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?
Yes, turkey, chicken, or sausage are great alternatives.
Should peppers be pre-cooked?
Pre-baking or blanching can soften them faster, but it’s optional.
Can stuffed peppers be frozen?
Yes, both cooked and uncooked stuffed peppers freeze well.
What rice works best?
White rice, brown rice, jasmine rice, or cauliflower rice all work.
Can I make stuffed peppers low-carb?
Yes, substitute rice with cauliflower rice.
What cheese works best?
Cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack, or blended cheeses work well.
Why are my stuffed peppers watery?
Overcooked peppers or excess moisture in the filling can cause this.
What sides pair well with stuffed peppers?
Side salads, roasted vegetables, garlic bread, mashed potatoes, or cucumber salad pair beautifully.