Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe

You’ve done it! You have found the Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe around, if I do say so myself! I created this recipe because I’m not a fan of traditional stuffed peppers that are swimming in tomato sauce.  My easy Rotel stuffed peppers are made using a savory mixture of ground beef and sweet .Italian sausage, along with rice, garlic, onion, and green chiles. This easy stuffed peppers recipe is absolutely bursting with flavor, and of course, plenty of melty cheese on top! The best part? This is an easy recipe that your whole family will LOVE!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

My Best Stuffed Peppers recipe is a family staple dish that never gets old. Are they Mexican stuffed peppers? Italian stuffed peppers? Well, they may be a bit confused, because they have a flavor profile that combines hints of both Italian and Mexican cuisines!

These easy stuffed peppers are filling, nutritious, and can be tailored to what you have in your fridge or pantry. Whether you’re a fan of Italian sausage, prefer lean ground beef, or even want a vegetarian option, stuffed peppers are accommodating to all tastes.

How to The Make Best Stuffed Peppers

Making the Best Stuffed Peppers Recipe requires a few simple ingredients and a some easy steps to bring everything together. Here’s what you’ll need and how to put it all together to make a delicious meal.

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp olive oil, divided
• 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage
• 1/2 lb lean ground beef
• 6 large bell peppers (red, yellow, orange bell peppers, or green peppers)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
• 2 cups cooked white rice (I use one 8.5 oz. bag of 90-second rice, microwaved)
• 1 4oz. can diced green chiles
• 1 can Mild Ro-tel (Use Original or Hot if you like spice)
• 2 cups Mexican blend shredded cheese
• 2 tbsp chopped cilantro
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step One: Prepare the peppers by cutting off the tops of the peppers and removing the seeds and membranes. Optionally, dice the pepper tops (avoiding the stem) for later use in the filling.

Pre-cook the peppers in a large pot of boiling water for 4-5 minutes to soften them slightly, then drain and set aside on paper towels. Note, you can use any color of peppers. Sometimes I use all green bell peppers, and sometimes I use a colorful mix.

Step Two: Preheat the oven to 375 F. In a large skillet over medium heat, brown the sausage, ground beef, minced garlic, and diced onion along with the diced pepper tops in one tablespoon of olive oil until the meats are well cooked. I love the addition of the Italian sausage to bring the Italian seasoning profile to the mix. You can use sweet or mild Italian sausage. I like the sweet!

Step Three: To the skillet, add the cooked white rice, salt, and pepper, stirring well to combine all the ingredients. Mix in the Rotel and half a cup of shredded cheese until everything is evenly combined.

Step Four: Trim the bottoms of the peppers so they sit flat in your baking dish. Brush the exterior of each pepper with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.

Step Five: Fill each pepper with the meat and rice mixture, place them in a baking dish, and cover them tightly with foil. Bake at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes.

Step Six: After baking, remove the foil, top each pepper with the remaining shredded cheese, and return to the oven, uncovered, for an additional 5-10 minutes or until the cheese is melted to your preference.

Step Seven: Garnish the pepper recipe with fresh cilantro before serving.

Substitutions and Variations

Stuffed bell peppers are a great recipe because they are SO incredibly flexible! Here are some ideas for substitutions and variations:

• Meat: You can really mix it up with your meat mixture. Try ground turkey, ground chicken, or even shredded rotisserie chicken! To make this dish vegetarian, you can bump up the amount of rice and add beans and additional chopped bell peppers.
• Cooked Rice: Substitute brown rice or a mix of rice and black beans for a different texture and added fiber. I use a 90-second microwave bag to save time, but you can also prepare your own rice if you’d like.
• Cheese: Feel free to experiment with different types of cheese like mozzarella cheese, parmesan cheese, or cheddar.
• Garlic Powder: If you don’t have any fresh garlic on hand, substitute with garlic powder.
• Make it Spicy: My whole family is fairly sensitive to spice, so, I use Mild Rotel. If you love to spice things up, you can use Original or Hot Rotel to give your bell peppers recipe a little kick!

Best Tips

• Even Cooking: For even cooking, ensure that the filling is not packed too tightly inside the peppers.
• Serving: Serve with a side of sour cream or a drizzle of lime juice for an extra flavor boost.
• Reheating: When reheating leftovers, adding a little bit of chicken broth can keep the peppers moist.
• Prep Ahead: You can prepare these peppers a day ahead and keep them refrigerated until you’re ready to bake.

How to Store Best Stuffed Peppers

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. They can also be frozen for up to a month. To reheat, simply bake in the oven at 350 degrees F until they are heated through.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make stuffed peppers in a slow cooker?

Yes, you can make stuffed peppers in a slow cooker. Prepare the peppers as usual and place them in the cooker. Cook on low for about 4-6 hours, topping with cheese toward the end of cooking time just to melt.

What can I do with leftover filling?

Leftover filling can be used the next day as a great taco filling or served over a salad for a quick and easy meal.

How do I make vegetarian stuffed peppers?

Substitute the meat with a mixture of quinoa, additional beans, and vegetables. Adjust seasonings as needed to compensate for the lack of meat.

Stuffed peppers are a great way to deliver a hearty and delicious meal with minimal fuss. This recipe provides a basic framework, but the beauty of stuffed peppers lies in how easily they can be adapted to whatever ingredients you have on hand. Enjoy your meal prep or weeknight dinner with this comforting classic!

Can I double this recipe for a larger group?

Absolutely! This recipe can easily be doubled. Just you will need two baking dishes to accommodate all the peppers. The cooking time may increase slightly, so keep an eye on the oven until the peppers are cooked through and the cheese is bubbly.

Is it possible to prepare stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers a day in advance and keep them covered in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to cook them, just add a few extra minutes to the baking time since they will be cold from the fridge.

What’s the best way to serve stuffed peppers?

Stuffed peppers are a great complete meal on their own. Alternatively, they can be served with a side salad for a light, balanced meal.

I know that claiming I have the best stuffed peppers recipe is a pretty big boast! I will say that this is the best recipe that my family has found, and I will keep these in my dinner rotation forever. They are just that yummy. The next time you’re looking for a delicious recipe to feed your family, I hope you’ll give this dish a try!

More Delicious Dishes

• Chicken Spaghetti
• Navy Bean Soup
• Roasted Broccoli and Sweet Potatoes