Cheesy Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate weeknight comfort meal that feels both homey and impressively wholesome, Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are about to become your new obsession. Packed with seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, veggies, and finished with an irresistible melted cheese topping, this classic dinner checks every box for flavor, texture, and heartiness.

Why You Should Make This Recipe

• Perfect Balance of Comfort and Nutrition: Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are hearty without being heavy, combining savory protein, fresh vegetables, and gooey cheese for a complete meal.
• Totally Customizable: Easily swap ingredients to fit your family’s tastes or whatever’s in your pantry—the basic technique works with beef, chicken, or even a meatless filling.
• Great for Make-Ahead Meals: These peppers reheat like a dream, making them fantastic leftovers for busy lunches or next-night dinners.
• Easy, Impressive Presentation: The vibrant pepper “cups” always wow at the table, making dinner feel extra special with very little effort.

Ingredients & Substitutions

Each ingredient in Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers plays a delicious role—from the sweet crunch of bell peppers to the creamy richness of cheese, this recipe keeps things simple, fresh, and wonderfully satisfying. Best of all, you can mix and match based on what you have or love most.

• Extra-virgin olive oil: Adds a smooth richness for sautéing and keeps the filling moist.
• Yellow onion: Brings a gentle sweetness and loads of flavor depth to the beef mixture.
• Garlic: Just a few cloves give every bite a subtle, savory edge—don’t skip it!
• Tomato paste: Intensifies the savory, tangy flavor and adds gorgeous color.
• Ground beef: The hearty star of the show; swap for ground turkey or lentils for a lighter spin.
• Cooked white or brown rice: Adds satisfying body—quinoa or cauliflower rice make great substitutions.
• Canned diced tomatoes: For juicy, saucy goodness in the filling. Fire-roasted or flavored varieties work too!
• Dried oregano: Lends herby Mediterranean notes that tie everything together.
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper: Essential for seasoning the whole dish perfectly.
• Bell peppers: The beautiful, edible “bowls”—red, yellow, orange, or green all add different sweetness levels and color pops.
• Shredded Monterey Jack cheese: Melts beautifully for that classic, oozy cheese layer. Mozzarella or cheddar would be delicious too.
• Fresh parsley: Sprinkled on top for a burst of color and freshness right before serving.

How to Make Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Step 1: Prepare the Filling

Start by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion until soft and fragrant, about 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and tomato paste, letting them bloom in the oil for a minute, which deepens the flavor beautifully. Next, add your ground beef; break it up as it cooks until no longer pink—trust me, your kitchen will already smell amazing at this point!

Step 2: Combine Rice & Tomatoes

Once the beef is browned, fold in the cooked rice and pour in the can of diced tomatoes—juices included. Add the dried oregano, and season generously with salt and pepper. Let this mixture simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors meld and the filling thickens just a bit—this is what gives Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers their savory, satisfying bite.

Step 3: Stuff the Peppers

While your filling simmers, arrange the bell peppers cut side up in a baking dish and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Spoon the beef-rice mixture into each pepper, packing it in gently so they’re generously stuffed but not overflowing. The peppers act as fun, edible vessels that hold all that goodness together.

Step 4: Bake Until Tender

Cover the baking dish tightly with foil, trapping in moisture that helps steam the peppers until they’re perfectly tender—about 35 minutes at 400°F. This step gives you ultra-soft peppers that are easy to cut and full of flavor.

Step 5: Add Cheese and Finish Baking

Remove the foil and sprinkle a generous layer of shredded Monterey Jack (or your favorite cheese) over each pepper. Return the pan to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10 minutes until the cheese is golden, bubbly, and irresistibly melty.

Step 6: Top and Serve

Once baked, finish your Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with a generous sprinkle of fresh parsley. This bright touch brings the whole dish to life and makes each pepper look so inviting and colorful!

How to Serve Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers

Garnishes

A finishing flourish of fresh parsley is classic, but you can also brighten things up with chopped scallions, thinly sliced fresh basil, or a sprinkle of chili flakes for a bit of heat. A small dollop of sour cream or a scoop of salsa on top can add even more creaminess and zing to each bite.

Side Dishes

Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are pretty much a meal on their own, but I love serving them with a crisp green salad, roasted broccoli, or warm crusty bread to soak up any yummy juices that escape on the plate. They also pair beautifully with simple couscous or a citrusy slaw if you want to go all out!

Creative Ways to Present

If you’re hosting, serve your peppers upright in a shallow platter so their vibrant colors pop. For a more rustic feel, halve the peppers before serving so guests can see all the cheesy, flavorful filling. Or, slice them into bite-sized pieces for a playful party platter—Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are always a crowd-pleaser no matter how you present them.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Any leftover Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers keep beautifully! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days—they actually seem to get even more flavorful with time as the filling settles.

Freezing

These peppers freeze exceptionally well! Let them cool fully, then wrap individually and store in a freezer-safe bag or container for up to 2 months. When the craving hits, just thaw and reheat for an easy, comforting meal in minutes.

Reheating

Reheat Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers in the oven at 350°F until warmed through, or microwave them (covered with a damp paper towel) for a quick lunch. Add a fresh sprinkle of cheese for extra indulgence if you’d like!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers are everything I love in a dinner: simple, comforting, endlessly adaptable, and downright delicious. I can’t wait for you to savor all those melty, bubbly, flavor-packed bites—one pan, so much homemade happiness. Give this recipe a try soon and watch it become a staple in your kitchen too!

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