Savory Stuffed Peppers Recipe Like Grandma Used to Make (8 Ingredients) by Ann Marie G. Halstead

Stuffed bell peppers are a classic comfort food recipe still served in kitchens across the country. The fillings for the bell peppers vary from state to state and family to family. This easy stuffed pepper recipe uses sweet red peppers, ground beef, tomato sauce and either cooked rice or potatoes. You can't go wrong! Plus this is a high-protein recipe. Check out the health benefits of protein.

This budget recipe has a short list of required ingredients: olive oil, onion, garlic, ground beef, red bell peppers (check out the health benefits of bell peppers), tomato sauce, rice or potatoes, mozzarella cheese. The filling is cooked in a skillet, then stuffed into the peppers. Top with shredded cheese and finish the dish in the oven.

Photo credit: all photos under license from BigStock

Do not overcook the potatoes or rice for this budget recipe. Keep both on the almost-tender side because they will continue to cook in the oven. If the potatoes are too tender, they may fall apart as you mix them into the ground beef.

Serve this ground beef stuffed pepper recipe with a fresh vegetable or salad. We like corn, green peas, green beans or carrots.

Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Servings: 5 to 6

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 5 - 6 large red bell peppers (you could use green, yellow or orange, or a combination)
• 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce (divided)
• 2 cups cooked rice or cooked cubed potatoes 
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese 

Here's how to make it: 

1. Heat the olive oil in a skillet. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 30 seconds. 
2. Add the ground beef. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, breaking up the meat as you stir, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain. Try ground turkey instead of ground beef.
3. Add 2 cups of the tomato sauce and rice or cubed potatoes. Gently mix to combine. 
4. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise. Remove the seeds and membranes. Place in a baking pan. Divide the meat mixture between the peppers. You could use green, orange or yellow bell peppers for this stuffed pepper recipe instead of red.
5. Cover the pan and bake in a preheated 350-degree F oven for about 40 minutes or until meat is cooked through and peppers are tender. 
6. Uncover and spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the top of the meat. Cover with the cheese. Continue to bake, uncovered, about 5 minutes more or until cheese has melted. Use whatever cheese you like! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat in the microwave.

Recipe cooking times, nutritional information and servings are approximate and provided for your convenience. However, 30Seconds is not responsible for the outcome of any recipe, nor may you have the same results because of variations in ingredients, temperatures, altitude, errors, omissions or cooking/baking abilities. Any nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and it is up to the individual to ascertain accuracy. To ensure image quality, we may occasionally use stock photography.

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