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Plate of traditional stuffed peppers stuffed with rice, meat, and herbs.

Classic Stuffed Peppers

Classic Stuffed Peppers are hearty, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying, perfect for any occasion.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 275
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Peppers
  • 4 very large green bell peppers or about 5 small ones
For the Filling
  • 1 15-ounce can tomato sauce This sauce keeps the stuffing moist
  • 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey Opt for a lean meat
  • 1/3 cup chopped onion Adds a wonderful base flavor
  • 1 cup cooked brown or white rice Adds texture and acts as filler
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt Enhances natural flavors
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper Freshly cracked for gentle heat
  • 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder Adds a hint of garlicky goodness

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut the tops off the green bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
  2. Place the peppers in a large saucepan and cover them with water. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 3 minutes until softened slightly. Drain and rinse with cool water.
Cooking
  1. In a skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef (or turkey) and chopped onion. Cook until the meat is no longer pink, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
  2. Add salt, black pepper, cooked rice, garlic powder, and half of the tomato sauce into the meat mixture. Stir until well combined.
  3. Spoon the filling into each pepper, packing it tightly. Place the filled peppers upright in a baking dish and drizzle the remaining tomato sauce over the tops.
  4. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through. The tomatoes will caramelize slightly.
  5. Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before serving.

Notes

For extra heat, add diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes. Sauté additional vegetables with the onion for more flavor. Cheese lovers can sprinkle cheese on top during the last few minutes of baking.