Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers
Baked stuffed peppers are one of those comforting meals that feel like a warm hug on a chilly day. With their tender roasted pepper shells and flavorful filling, they’re perfect for both weeknight dinners and cozy weekend meals. Whether you’re cooking for the family or meal-prepping for the week, this dish comes together easily and always delivers on taste.
The best part is how versatile this dish is. You can adjust the ingredients to fit your mood or dietary needs without losing any of the comfort. From meaty and cheesy to veggie-packed and hearty, stuffed peppers are always a win. This easy version keeps the prep low and the flavor high.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers Recipe
These stuffed peppers are wholesome, colorful, and satisfying. They pack protein, grains, and veggies into one edible container. It’s a complete meal all in one dish, which makes cleanup a breeze. They also reheat beautifully, making leftovers just as good, if not better, the next day.
What Kind of Bell Peppers Should I Use?
Any bell pepper color will work, but red, yellow, and orange tend to be sweeter and roast up with a pleasant softness. Green peppers are a bit more bitter and firmer after baking. Choose whichever color suits your flavor preference or mix and match for a vibrant presentation.
Ingredients for the Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers
For this recipe, simple pantry staples come together to create something special. Each ingredient brings its own role to build the flavors and textures in the dish.
- Bell Peppers
- Ground Beef
- Cooked Rice
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato Sauce
- Italian Seasoning
- Salt
- Black Pepper
- Mozzarella Cheese
- Olive Oil
Bell peppers serve as the edible vessel that gets deliciously tender while baking. Ground beef brings hearty protein and richness. Cooked rice adds softness and helps fill out the stuffing. Onion and garlic provide aromatics and depth. Tomato sauce adds moisture and acidity, while Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper balance the flavor. A sprinkle of mozzarella cheese on top gives that irresistible melted finish. Olive oil helps everything bake up beautifully.


How To Make the Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers
Step 1: Prep the Peppers
Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Brush with olive oil and place them in a baking dish. Pre-bake for 15 minutes at 375°F to start softening.
Step 2: Cook the Filling
In a skillet, cook chopped onion in olive oil until softened. Add ground beef and cook until browned. Stir in minced garlic, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and seasonings. Let simmer for 5 minutes.
Step 3: Stuff the Peppers
Spoon the beef and rice mixture into the pre-baked peppers, pressing gently to pack it in.
Step 4: Bake and Melt the Cheese
Top each pepper with shredded mozzarella. Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 5: Serve Warm
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve immediately.
How to Serve and Store These Stuffed Peppers
This recipe makes enough for 4 to 6 people, depending on the size of your peppers. Serve them fresh out of the oven with a side salad or some crusty bread. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until warmed through. These also freeze well—just thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
What to Serve With Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers?
A Simple Side Salad
A crisp green salad with vinaigrette complements the hearty filling.
Garlic Bread
Buttery garlic bread is great for scooping up any saucy bits left behind.
Roasted Vegetables
Tossed with olive oil and herbs, roasted veggies add more fiber and color.
Creamy Mashed Potatoes
A smooth and savory mash is a comforting companion to these peppers.
Balsamic Glazed Brussels Sprouts
The tangy sweetness of balsamic pairs beautifully with the savory filling.
Couscous or Quinoa
A light and fluffy grain can stretch the meal a bit further.
Coleslaw
For something crunchy and refreshing, coleslaw offers a nice contrast.
Want More Dinner Ideas with Comfort and Flavor?
If you love these Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers, check out more satisfying meal options:
- Try the cozy and creamy Cajun Potato Soup
- Enjoy Tex-Mex flair with the Cheesy Beef Enchilada Tortellini
- Keep it cool and fresh with Mom’s Signature Macaroni Salad
- Satisfy everyone at the table with Creamy Chicken and Broccoli
- Need a quick stovetop version? Check out the Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it anytime.
Let me know in the comments if you added beans, switched up the protein, or tried it with quinoa instead of rice. I’d love to hear how you made it your own.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dishes on Zoe Recipes on Pinterest and discover new favorites to elevate your kitchen every day: Zoe Recipes on Pinterest
Conclusion
Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers bring together the best of flavor, nutrition, and simplicity in one tidy, tasty package. With its flexibility and full-meal appeal, it’s sure to become a regular on your dinner table.


Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Description
This Easy Baked Stuffed Peppers recipe is a classic weeknight dinner filled with flavorful ground beef, rice, and melty cheese. Perfect for meal prep, these oven-baked peppers are a healthy and hearty comfort food favorite the whole family will enjoy. Great for those seeking a delicious stuffed bell peppers dinner idea.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 bell peppers
1 pound ground beef
1 cup cooked rice
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup tomato sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Brush the outsides with olive oil and place in a baking dish. Pre-bake for 15 minutes to soften slightly.
2. In a skillet over medium heat, cook diced onion in olive oil until translucent. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks.
3. Stir in garlic, cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
4. Remove peppers from the oven and spoon the filling into each one, packing it down lightly.
5. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers.
6. Return to oven and bake for 20 minutes, until cheese is melted and bubbly.
7. Remove from oven and let rest for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Notes
These stuffed peppers can be made ahead and refrigerated for up to 4 days.
Use quinoa instead of rice for a protein-packed alternative.
Swap ground beef for turkey or plant-based ground to fit your diet.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
