Print

Cozy Cheesy Beef and Rice Stuffed Peppers

cheesy beef and rice stuffed peppers - featured image
Print Recipe

A quick and easy comfort food recipe featuring bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and cheese, baked to perfection for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked white rice (about 200g cooked)
  • 1 small onion, finely diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh, drained)
  • ½ cup small-curd cottage cheese (about 120g)
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (about 100g)
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing seeds and membranes. Rinse and set aside to dry.
  3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground beef, crumble and cook until browned and no longer pink, about 6-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  6. Stir in Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
  7. Add diced tomatoes and cooked rice, folding gently to combine.
  8. Remove from heat and stir in cottage cheese.
  9. Stuff each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing gently but not too tight. Place upright in a baking dish.
  10. Top each stuffed pepper evenly with shredded cheddar cheese.
  11. Bake uncovered for 25-30 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbling and golden.
  12. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Do not overstuff the peppers to avoid collapse or uneven cooking. Pre-cooked rice is best to ensure proper cooking. For softer peppers, parboil for 3 minutes before stuffing. You can add a splash of water and cover loosely with foil for the first 15 minutes of baking to steam peppers if needed. Variations include swapping ground beef for lentils or tofu for vegetarian options, adding jalapeños for spice, or using cauliflower rice for a low-carb version.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, beef stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, comfort food, easy dinner, weeknight meal

Find it online: https://breezybake.com/cozy-cheesy-beef-and-rice-stuffed-peppers-recipe-easy-comfort-dinner/