Sam's Salsa Stuffed Bell Peppers

Bursting with bold flavors and vibrant colors, Sam's Salsa Stuffed Bell Peppers are the ultimate crowd-pleaser for weeknight dinners or festive gatherings. This quick and easy recipe features tender bell peppers filled to the brim with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef or turkey, fluffy rice, and your favorite salsa for a fiery kick. Sprinkled with melty cheddar cheese and seasoned with aromatic spices like cumin and chili powder, these stuffed peppers deliver a hearty, spice-infused bite in every forkful. Perfectly baked until tender and topped with optional fresh cilantro for a zesty garnish, this dish is a healthy, gluten-free meal the whole family will love. Ready in under an hour, these peppers make for a delicious centerpiece while minimizing cleanup—making them a must-try for busy home cooks seeking flavor-packed, wholesome comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 70/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:35 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 4 whole Bell peppers (any color)
• 2 tablespoons Olive oil
• 1 pound Ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup Cooked rice
• 1.5 cups Salsa (your favorite type)
• 1 cup Shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 medium Onion (finely diced)
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili powder
• 0.5 teaspoons Salt
• 0.25 teaspoons Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh cilantro (chopped, optional for garnish)

Directions

Step 1

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 2

Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes inside. Lightly brush the outside of each pepper with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Set aside.

Step 3

Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant and softened, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4

Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, about 7-8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the pan.

Step 5

Stir in the cooked rice, salsa, cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine and let simmer for 2-3 minutes to marry the flavors.

Step 6

Remove the skillet from heat and mix in half of the shredded cheese (1/2 cup).

Step 7

Place the prepared bell peppers in a baking dish, open side up. Spoon the salsa mixture evenly into each pepper, filling them to the top.

Step 8

Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese (1/2 cup) over the stuffed peppers.

Step 9

Bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Step 10

Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1918.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2483.9

Total Fat 158.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 65.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g
Cholesterol 483.9mg	0%
Sodium 4740.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 139.3g	0%
Dietary Fiber 24.4g	0%
Total Sugars 46.7g
Protein 124.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 1099.6mg	0%
Iron 21.0mg	0%
Potassium 3591.7mg	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: 57.5%

Protein: 20.0%

Carbs: 22.4%