Pennys Stuffed Bell Peppers

Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with Penny's Stuffed Bell Peppers—a comforting, flavorful classic that’s as satisfying as it is easy to make! Vibrant bell peppers act as edible bowls, brimming with a savory filling of seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, tender onions, and garlic, all brought together with tangy diced tomatoes and a rich touch of tomato paste. Topped with gooey, golden mozzarella cheese, these stuffed peppers are baked to perfection, creating a dish that’s both hearty and nutritious. Infused with Italian seasoning and a hint of garlic, this recipe is perfect for meal prep or impressing family and friends. With just 20 minutes of prep and simple ingredients you likely already have, these delicious stuffed peppers are a surefire crowd-pleaser for any gathering or casual meal!

Nutriscore Rating: 74/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:40 mins

Total Time:60 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes, canned
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 0.5 cup water

Directions

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside, reserving the tops if desired for presentation.

Step 3

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes.

Step 4

Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for an additional 1 minute, stirring frequently.

Step 5

Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned and fully cooked, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess grease if needed.

Step 6

Stir in the cooked rice, canned diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes to combine flavors. Remove from heat.

Step 7

Place the hollowed-out bell peppers into a baking dish. If they do not stand upright, you can trim the bottoms slightly to make them stable.

Step 8

Fill each bell pepper with the ground beef and rice mixture, pressing down gently with a spoon to pack the filling.

Step 9

Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the baking dish to help steam the peppers as they bake.

Step 10

Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Step 11

Remove the foil and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers. Bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 12

Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Step 13

Optional: Replace the tops of the bell peppers for presentation and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(2103.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2083.5

Total Fat 122.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 49.5g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.3g
Cholesterol 401.4mg	0%
Sodium 3997.6mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 129.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 21.9g	0%
Total Sugars 44.0g
Protein 122.2g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1075.8mg	0%
Iron 16.8mg	0%
Potassium 3686.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 52.2%

Protein: 23.2%

Carbs: 24.6%