The Best Mom’s Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe for Family Dinners

Stuffed bell peppers dance with vibrant colors and hearty flavors that refine ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.

These delightful vessels capture the essence of comfort cooking with their rich, satisfying layers of ingredients.

Each pepper becomes a canvas for culinary creativity, welcoming a medley of proteins, grains, and seasonings.

Tender bell peppers cradle a robust filling that promises warmth and nourishment in every bite.

Home cooks love how these peppers adapt to various tastes and dietary preferences with remarkable ease.

Families gather around the table, drawn by the irresistible aroma and promise of a delicious, wholesome dinner.

Why Mom’s Stuffed Bell Peppers Will Always Win Hearts

• Savor Hearty Comfort: This recipe delivers a nostalgic, home-cooked meal that wraps you in warmth with every bite, combining tender bell peppers and flavorful meat filling.
• Master Quick Meal Prep: Steam peppers in advance and mix filling effortlessly, making this dish perfect for busy weeknights with minimal cooking skills required.
• Nutrition-Packed Delight: Packed with balanced protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, these stuffed peppers offer a wholesome meal that satisfies hunger while supporting healthy eating goals.
• Versatile Family Pleaser: Easily adaptable for different tastes, this recipe works great for family dinners, potlucks, or meal prep, ensuring everyone gets a delicious and filling plate.

The Classic Ingredients That Make It Hers

• Bell Peppers: Fresh, colorful peppers that serve as the edible vessel for the savory filling. Choose firm, vibrant peppers without blemishes or soft spots.
• Ground Beef: Protein-rich meat that forms the hearty base of the filling. Look for lean ground beef with good marbling for the best flavor and texture.
• Rice: Adds bulk and texture to the filling, helping to bind the ingredients together. White or brown rice works well, preferably pre-cooked and cooled.

• Basil, Marjoram: Aromatic herbs that provide depth and complexity to the meat filling. Fresh herbs can be substituted for dried if available.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Essential seasonings that enhance the overall flavor of the dish. Use freshly ground black pepper for maximum taste.
• Paprika: Adds a light, smoky flavor and attractive color to the top of the stuffed peppers. Choose sweet or mild paprika for a gentle spice profile.

• Olive Oil: Helps to keep the peppers moist and adds a subtle richness. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor.
• Ketchup: Optional condiment served on the side for added tanginess. Provides a classic accompaniment to the stuffed peppers.

How to Fill and Bake Peppers Just Right

Step 1: Preheat The Oven

Heat the oven to 350°F. If you haven’t cooked rice yet, prepare it now.

Step 2: Prep Bell Peppers

Carefully slice off the tops of bell peppers. Remove all seeds and membranes. Set up a steaming rack over boiling water and place peppers cut-side up. Steam for 10 minutes to soften the peppers.

Step 3: Create Flavorful Filling

• Ground beef
• Fresh basil
• Marjoram
• Salt
• Black pepper
• Cooked rice

Gently mix all ingredients until well blended.

Step 4: Stuff And Season Peppers

Place steamed peppers in an oven-safe dish. Carefully fill each pepper with the meat and rice mixture. Drizzle olive oil over and around the peppers. Sprinkle paprika on top for added color and flavor.

Step 5: Bake Until Perfectly Cooked

Slide the dish into the preheated oven. Bake for 35-50 minutes, ensuring the meat is thoroughly cooked. Serve hot with ketchup on the side for an extra tangy touch.

Tips from Mom for Getting the Texture Perfect

• Soften Peppers Perfectly: Steam bell peppers before stuffing to ensure they're tender and cook evenly without becoming mushy.
• Balance Meat Mixture: Use lean ground beef and mix ingredients thoroughly to create a flavorful, moist filling that won't dry out during baking.
• Prevent Overflow: Don't overstuff peppers; leave a little room for the filling to expand and prevent splitting during cooking.
• Enhance Flavor Depth: Experiment with fresh herbs like basil and marjoram to add more complexity to the meat mixture.
• Check Doneness Carefully: Use a meat thermometer to ensure ground beef reaches 160°F for safe consumption while maintaining juiciness.

Keep ‘Em Juicy for Tomorrow’s Meal

• Refrigeration: Store leftover stuffed bell peppers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Properly sealed, they'll stay fresh in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Keep the peppers whole to maintain moisture and prevent the filling from drying out.
• Freezing: Wrap individual peppers tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. Frozen stuffed peppers can last up to 3 months. Label the container with the date to track freshness.
• Reheating: Warm refrigerated peppers in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes to restore their original texture and flavor. For frozen peppers, thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

The Best Things to Eat Alongside Stuffed Peppers

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Select a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Cabernet Sauvignon that complements the rich beef and herb flavors, cutting through the meat's richness while enhancing the dish's earthy undertones.
• Match with Crisp Green Salad: Create a light side salad with fresh mixed greens, cucumber slices, and a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty stuffed peppers, providing a refreshing contrast to the warm, meaty main course.
• Serve alongside Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious juices from the peppers, adding a crunchy texture and complementary garlic notes that elevate the overall meal experience.
• Complement with Chilled Craft Beer: Choose a smooth amber ale or lager that matches the beef's savory profile, offering a cool, refreshing drink that cuts through the richness of the stuffed peppers.

Creative Fillings Inspired by Mom’s Recipe

• Vegetarian Pepper Parcels: Replace ground beef with a hearty blend of quinoa, black beans, and diced mushrooms for a protein-packed plant-based version. Add cumin and smoked paprika for extra depth of flavor.
• Mediterranean Fusion Peppers: Swap ground beef for lamb, incorporate feta cheese, and mix in oregano and mint. Top with a dollop of tzatziki sauce for a Greek-inspired culinary experience.
• Spicy Southwest Pepper Feast: Use ground turkey, add corn kernels, diced jalapeños, and replace rice with cilantro-lime quinoa. Garnish with fresh avocado slices and a drizzle of chipotle sauce for a zesty kick.
• Cheesy Italian Pepper Delight: Blend ground pork with Italian sausage, mix in grated parmesan, and sprinkle mozzarella on top during the last 10 minutes of baking. Finish with fresh basil leaves for an authentic Italian touch.

Moms Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

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4.8 from 28 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Classic bell peppers packed with seasoned ground beef, rice, and tomato sauce showcase comfort food straight from Mediterranean kitchens. Family recipes like these connect generations through simple, delicious ingredients that warm hearts and satisfy hunger.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein:

• 1 to 1.25 pounds ground beef (ground chuck, 16% fat)
• 6 large fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1.5 teaspoons dried basil

Vegetables and Main Ingredients:

• 4 to 6 bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), 4 large or 6 medium
• 1.5 to 2 cups cooked white rice

Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:

• 0.5 teaspoon dry summer savory or thyme
• 0.5 teaspoon ground marjoram or 2 teaspoons fresh, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 0.25 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Paprika, for sprinkling

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Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) and prepare a medium-grain rice according to package instructions if not already cooked.
2. Carefully slice off the tops of the bell peppers and meticulously remove all seeds and internal membranes, creating sturdy edible vessels for the savory filling.
3. Position the hollowed peppers vertically on a steaming apparatus over rapidly boiling water, allowing them to soften for approximately 10 minutes, which enhances their texture and reduces overall cooking time.
4. In a spacious mixing bowl, combine ground beef, finely chopped fresh basil, delicate marjoram leaves, kosher salt, freshly cracked black pepper, and the pre-cooked rice, blending ingredients until uniformly distributed.
5. Arrange the partially steamed peppers in a ceramic or glass baking dish, then gently pack the meat and rice mixture into each pepper, ensuring a generous but not overstuffed filling.
6. Drizzle extra virgin olive oil around and over the peppers, then dust the surface with vibrant paprika for added color and subtle warmth.
7. Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and roast for 35-50 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the meat reaches 71 degrees Celsius (160 degrees Fahrenheit).
8. Remove from the oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving, accompanying with a side of tangy ketchup for those who enjoy additional flavor.

Notes

• Elevate your family dinner with these nostalgic bell peppers packed with childhood memories and robust flavors.
• Steam peppers beforehand to guarantee perfectly tender vessels that melt in your mouth.
• Blend ground beef with fragrant herbs creating a harmonious mix that transforms simple ingredients into a comforting meal.
• Drizzling olive oil helps develop a golden-brown exterior while keeping the filling succulent and rich.
• Paprika sprinkle adds a subtle smoky warmth that complements the hearty meat mixture, making each bite more exciting.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 370 kcal
• Sugar: 6g
• Sodium: 580mg
• Fat: 18g
• Saturated Fat: 6g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 22g
• Cholesterol: 70mg