Stuffed Peppers make an easy and delicious weeknight dinner. They’re quick to prepare and oven-roasted to perfection, with no pre-cooking of the peppers required.

Looking for more low carb recipes? Try these Zucchini BoatsGround Turkey Stir Fry, and these Chicken Lettuce Wraps.

Freshly baked stuffed peppers with a cheesy, savory filling on display, ready to serve.

The Best Stuffed Peppers

If you’re unfamiliar with stuffed peppers, prepare for a flavorful delight! This dish features sweet peppers, hollowed and generously filled with a savory mix of ground beef, Italian sausage, rice, tomatoes, and seasonings. Roasted to perfection and smothered in cheese, these peppers are a delicious treat straight from the oven, arguably the best in town!

Quick Tip

If your peppers wobble, trim the bottom for stability or cut them in half lengthwise. Fill and bake as usual.

Sizzling mixed ingredients being sautéed and seasoned in a pan.

Ingredients In Stuffed Peppers

  • Basmati Rice: Makes the filling thicker.
  • Olive Oil: For cooking and adding flavor.
  • Onion & Garlic: Give a strong, tasty smell and taste.
  • Tomato Paste: Makes it more tomatoey.
  • Ground Beef & Sausage: Make the filling meaty and tasty.
  • Diced Tomatoes: Add a smoky, tangy taste.
  • Seasonings (Oregano, Thyme, Italian Seasoning, Salt & Pepper): Make everything more flavorful.
  • Beef Bouillon & Worcestershire Sauce: Add deep, rich flavors.
  • Marinara Sauce: Adds tomato flavor and keeps it moist.
  • Bell Peppers: Hold everything together and add a sweet crunch.
  • Cheddar Cheese: Melts on top for a cheesy taste.
  • Parsley: Used for decoration and a bit of fresh taste.

Making the stuffed peppers recipe by hollowing out bell peppers, and stuffing with a savory filling for a delicious meal.

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5 from 3 votes

Stuffed Peppers

These Stuffed Peppers are loaded with seasoned Italian sausage and ground beef, hearty cooked rice, fire-roasted tomatoes and marinara, and finished off with a good helping of freshly grated cheese. These peppers come together quickly and are roasted to perfection in the oven (no need to cook the peppers ahead of time!).
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (6 stuffed peppers)

Ingredients 
 

  • 1/2 cup uncooked basmati rice
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil plus more for drizzling
  • 1 and 1/2 cups diced yellow onion (~1 medium onion)
  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (~3 cloves)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1/2 pound Italian sausage mild or hot
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • salt and pepper, to taste (I use 1/2 teaspoon of each)
  • 1 large beef bouillon cube Note 1
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup marinara sauce (I like Raos)
  • 6 large sweet bell peppers (yellow, red, orange) tops and cores removed
  • 1 and 1/4 cup freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese
  • freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions 

  • COOK RICE: Place rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse in cold water for 2-3 minutes or until water runs clear from the strainer. Place uncooked rice in a bowl and soak in cold water while you bring a very large pot of water to boil over high heat. Once water is boiling, salt the water (a teaspoon or so). Drain the rice through the sieve and add to the boiling water. Cook, stirring occasionally, for exactly 5 minutes (do not reduce temperature; it should be boiling). Drain the rice and set aside.ย 
  • FILLING: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add in the onion and cook until soft, about 5-8 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute more. Add ground beef and Italian sausage and cook, breaking up meat with a wooden spoon until no longer pink, about 5-8 minutes. Drain any fat and return the skillet to stovetop. Reduce heat to low.
  • FILLING CONT.: Stir in cooked and drained rice, undrained diced tomatoes, oregano, thyme, Italian seasoning, and salt and pepper to taste. Crumble in the bouillon cube and add in the Worcestershire sauce and marinara. Stir and simmer for 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid has slightly reduced.
  • PEPPERS: Meanwhile, remove the tops of the peppers (we'll use them in a minute) and pull out the core and seeds. Place the hollowed-out peppers (without their tops) in a 9x13-inch pan. Drizzle oil over the peppers (about 1 tablespoon). Stuff the peppers evenly with the filling; you should use all the filling between the 6 peppers. Cover the peppers with the pepper tops. Place in the oven for 35 minutes, uncovered, or until peppers are crisp-tender. Remove from the oven and remove the tops of the peppers (set aside). Divide the grated cheese evenly among the top of the peppers. Return to the oven for another 5-10 minutes or until cheese is nicely melted on top. Remove, garnish with fresh herbs if desired, and serve with the tops on the side.

Nutrition

Serving: 4servings | Calories: 479kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 28.1g | Fat: 25.8g | Cholesterol: 82.2mg | Sodium: 991.6mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 16.1g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hi there! Iโ€™m Chelseaโ€“the recipe developer, photographer, writer, and taste tester behind Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron (although my little ones help me out quite a bit with the taste testing part!). I LOVE getting creative in the kitchen and then posting my creations here for you to enjoy.

Thanks again for stopping by!

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5 from 3 votes

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5 Comments

  1. Marissa says:

    Are you using quick cooking basmati or
    regular basmati rice?

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Regular!

  2. Krissy Allori says:

    5 stars
    This is one of my families favorite meals. I like it too because it’s easy to make. Great flavors and a happy family. What more can you ask for?

  3. Suzy says:

    5 stars
    The best kind of peppers! Love the sausage and the ground beef in them!

  4. Kristyn says:

    5 stars
    Hearty & so tasty!! I don’t make these enough, but I need to. They always hit the spot!