Colorful stuffed bell peppers baked with melted cheese and parsley in a rustic dish.

Flavour Quest Recipes

Oven-Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers

These oven-baked stuffed bell peppers are a hearty, comforting dinner filled with a savory mixture of seasoned meat, rice, and tomato sauce, all topped with melted cheese. Easy to prepare and oven-baked until tender, they’re a satisfying meal that works well for weeknights or meal prep.

Print Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 40

Total Time 55

Servings: 6

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

6 Bell pepper large, any color
1 lb ground beef or turkey
1 Onion small
2 Cloves garlic minced
1 cup cooked rice
1 can Tomato diced & drained
1 cup Tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp Paprika
Salt & Pepper to taste
11/2 cup Mozzarella or cheddar cheese shredded
2 tsp Olive oil
Fresh parsley for garnish

Method

Preheat Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish lightly with olive oil.
Prepare Peppers
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Drizzle with olive oil and place in the baking dish, cut side up.
Cook the Filling
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes. Add ground beef, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat.
Add Seasoning & Rice
Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring to combine well.
Stuff the Peppers
Spoon the filling evenly into each bell pepper.Top with a spoonful of extra tomato sauce and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake
Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Garnish and Serve
Sprinkle with fresh parsley before serving.

🔄 Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

Make it vegetarian by swapping the meat for beans or lentils.

Add Italian seasoning or smoked paprika for extra flavor.

Top with mozzarella or Monterey Jack instead of cheddar.

🍽️ Serving Suggestions

Pair with mashed potatoes, garlic bread, or a light green salad.
Add crushed red pepper for a little heat.

💡 Tip

Par-bake the peppers for 10 minutes before stuffing if you prefer them extra tender after baking.

Mix half ground beef and half sausage for a richer flavor.

Try colorful peppers (red, yellow, green) for a vibrant presentation.

Freezes well — perfect for make-ahead meals.

❓ FAQs

Q: Do I need to cook the peppers before stuffing them?
A: Not necessarily. Baking them fully stuffed works well, but par-baking makes them softer.

Q: Can I make stuffed peppers ahead of time?
A: Yes. Assemble them in advance, refrigerate, and bake when ready to serve.

Q: What color bell peppers work best?
A: Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers have a more savory flavor.

Want More Cozy Dinner Ideas?

If you loved this recipe, you’ll love my free Comfort Dinner Guide—packed with easy, satisfying weeknight meals.