Easy Italian Stuffed Peppers
A colorful dish of bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and spices, topped with melty mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients
For the stuffing
- 1 pound ground beef Lean ground beef is recommended.
- 1 cup cooked rice Any variety of cooked rice can be used.
- 1 can diced tomatoes With juices.
- 1 small onion, chopped For flavor.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced Add more for extra flavor if desired.
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning For an Italian flavor.
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the peppers
- 4 large bell peppers Choose firm, fresh peppers.
For the topping
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese Can be replaced with different cheeses if desired.
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds inside.
Cooking
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped onion and minced garlic until they turn soft and fragrant, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes (with their juices), Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix well until combined.
- Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, packing it in firmly.
- Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Cover the dish with foil.
- Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven.
- Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each pepper, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serving
- Take the peppers out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes, and serve hot.
Notes
Stuffed peppers can be enjoyed on their own or paired with garlic bread, salad, roasted vegetables, or pasta.