Savory Bell Peppers Stuffed with Beef and Rice
Indulge in these flavorful bell peppers stuffed to perfection with a hearty mixture of ground beef, fluffy rice, and melty Monterey Jack cheese. Enhanced with aromatic onions, garlic, and a touch of fresh parsley, these vibrant peppers are not only pleasing to the eye but also bursting with flavors in every bite. This versatile recipe can be easily adapted to feature ground chicken, fresh basil, and smoked mozzarella, making it a delightful dish for any occasion. Serve these stuffed peppers as a satisfying main course and enjoy the comforting blend of textures and tastes!
4
Servings
285
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
Yellow bell peppers
4 medium (1/2 inch trimmed off tops, cores and seeds discarded)
Long grain white rice
1/2 cup (uncooked)
Olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (for cooking)
Onion
1 medium (chopped fine (about 1/2 cup))
Ground beef
12 ounces (preferably ground chuck)
Garlic cloves
3 (minced)
Diced tomatoes
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (drained, with 1/4 cup juice reserved)
Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/4 cups (shredded (about 5 oz))
Fresh parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Ketchup
1/4 cup (to drizzle over peppers)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
2
Bring 4 quarts of water to a boil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over high heat. Once boiling, stir in 1 tablespoon of salt.
3
Add the bell peppers to the boiling water and cook for about 3 minutes, just until they begin to soften. Carefully remove the peppers using a slotted spoon and drain off any excess water. Place the peppers cut side up on paper towels to cool.
4
Return the water to a boil. Add the rice and cook according to package instructions until tender (approximately 13 minutes). Drain and transfer the rice to a large mixing bowl.
5
In a large, heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat for about 1 and a half minutes. Add the chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown (about 5 minutes).
6
Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it into small pieces with a spoon, until browned and no longer pink (about 4 minutes). Stir in the minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
7
Transfer the beef and onion mixture to the bowl with the cooked rice. Add the drained diced tomatoes, 1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese, chopped parsley, and black pepper to taste. Mix everything until well combined.
8
In a small bowl, combine the ketchup with the reserved tomato juice and set aside.
9
Place the prepared peppers cut side up in a 9-inch square baking dish. Fill each pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture, dividing it evenly.
10
Spoon 2 tablespoons of the ketchup mixture over each stuffed pepper and then sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese.
11
Bake the peppers in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling and the filling is heated through.
12
Remove from the oven and serve immediately, garnished with additional parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
24g
Carbs
15.5g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this stuffed pepper recipe?
The recipe is for Savory Bell Peppers Stuffed with Beef and Rice.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields 4 servings.
What is the calorie count per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 285 calories.
What type of bell peppers are recommended?
The recipe specifies 4 medium yellow bell peppers.
How do I prepare the bell peppers before stuffing them?
Trim 1/2 inch off the tops, discard the cores and seeds, and boil them for 3 minutes to soften.
What type of ground beef is best for this dish?
Ground chuck is the preferred choice for this recipe.
What kind of rice should be used?
Use 1/2 cup of uncooked long grain white rice.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Which cheese is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/4 cups of shredded Monterey Jack cheese.
Can I substitute the ground beef with another protein?
Yes, ground chicken is a suggested alternative to ground beef.
What herbs are used for flavoring?
Fresh parsley is used, though fresh basil is mentioned as a potential variation.
What is the purpose of the ketchup in this recipe?
Ketchup is combined with reserved tomato juice and drizzled over the peppers before baking for added flavor.
How long should the rice be cooked?
The rice should be cooked according to package instructions until tender, which is approximately 13 minutes.
How long do I need to sauté the onions?
Sauté the onions for about 5 minutes until they are softened and beginning to brown.
When should the garlic be added during cooking?
Add the minced garlic after the beef is browned and sauté for an additional 30 seconds.
What size baking dish is needed?
A 9-inch square baking dish is recommended.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 15g of fat per serving.
How much protein is in one serving?
Each serving provides 15.5g of protein.
How many grams of carbohydrates are per serving?
There are 24g of carbohydrates per serving.
Is the tomato juice from the can reused?
Yes, you should reserve 1/4 cup of the juice from the diced tomatoes to mix with the ketchup.
What is the suggested baking time for the stuffed peppers?
Bake the peppers for 25 to 30 minutes.
How do I know the peppers are done?
They are done when the cheese is melted and bubbling and the filling is heated through.
Can I use a different type of cheese?
Yes, smoked mozzarella is suggested as a delicious alternative to Monterey Jack.
Where should the oven rack be positioned?
Adjust the oven rack to the middle position.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe requires 3 minced garlic cloves.
How much olive oil is used for cooking?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil.
How much cheese goes inside the filling mixture?
1 cup of Monterey Jack cheese is mixed directly into the beef and rice filling.
How much cheese is sprinkled on top of each pepper?
Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese over each stuffed pepper before baking.
What is the recommended garnish?
The peppers can be garnished with additional fresh parsley if desired.
Should the peppers be placed in the dish cut side up or down?
Place the peppers cut side up in the baking dish for filling.