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Cheesy Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers

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A quick and easy dinner recipe featuring juicy ground beef and seasoned rice stuffed inside bell peppers, topped with melted golden cheese for a comforting and flavorful meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color, preferably red or yellow)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or cheddar-mozzarella blend)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • A handful fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice off the tops of the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside the tops for optional use in the filling.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add chopped onion and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Season the beef with smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine.
  7. In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and chopped pepper tops if using.
  8. Stuff each bell pepper with the filling, packing gently but leaving space at the top for cheese.
  9. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish, nestling them close if needed for support.
  10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
  11. Remove foil and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over each pepper.
  12. Broil on high for 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted, golden brown, and bubbly. Watch closely to avoid burning.
  13. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Do not overbake the peppers to avoid mushiness. Keep foil on during most of the baking to steam peppers and lock in moisture. Broil cheese topping carefully to achieve a golden, crispy crust without burning. Use cooked rice to save time and keep filling moist. For gluten-free, substitute rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice. Ground turkey or chicken can be used for a lighter option.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, ground beef recipe, cheesy stuffed peppers, easy dinner, weeknight meal, comfort food

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