BEST Ever Easy Stuffed Peppers (5 Ingredients)
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
30 mins
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Servings
8 peppers
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Calories
513 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Mexican
BEST Ever Easy Stuffed Peppers (5 Ingredients)
Description
The preparation starts by softening the hollowed bell peppers in the oven, which helps ensure they cook evenly when stuffed. The filling is prepared on the stovetop by browning Italian sausage, then cooking rice with water and diced fire-roasted tomatoes. Mixing the sausage with rice and some cheese creates a flavorful stuffing that is spooned into the peppers. The filled peppers are topped with additional cheese and baked briefly to melt the cheese and finish cooking.
Flavorful and hearty, the filling balances the spiced sausage with the acidity of the tomatoes and creamy melted cheese. The bell peppers become tender but retain enough structure to hold the filling, resulting in a satisfying texture combination. Garnishing with cilantro or green onions adds a fresh note.
This recipe is adaptable to other ground meats such as beef, chicken, or turkey with suggested seasoning blends included. Pre-cooked rice shortcuts the cooking step for convenience. Using the pepper tops in the filling helps reduce waste and enhance flavor complexity.
Ingredients
- 8 bell pepper tops cut off and seeds and membranes removed
- 1 pound ground Italian sausage for alternative protein options, see notes, mild or spicy
- 3 cup rice or white rice, see note, cooked, Spanish style
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 ounce diced fire roasted tomatoes canned
- 1 cup Mexican blend cheese shredded
- cilantro optional, or green onions, for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a large baking dish and arrange bell peppers standing up. (If they want to tip over you can always cut off the very bottom 1/8 of an inch or so to flatten them out and help them stand!) Transfer to preheated oven and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes until tender. (Move ahead with Step 2 while peppers are baking!)
- In a large pan over medium-high heat, cook sausage for 5-6 minutes, breaking apart with a spatula or spoon as it cooks, until well browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer sausage to a platter, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- Add rice, water, and tomatoes to the pan, give it a good stir, and bring to a boil. Reduce to LOW, cover, and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Stir sausage and 1/2 cup of the cheese into the pan. Spoon mixture into the baked peppers and top with remaining cheese.
- Bake for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Top with green onions or cilantro if desired and serve.
Notes
- Ground beef, chicken, or turkey can replace Italian sausage; add a seasoning blend for flavor.
- Using pre-cooked or instant rice saves preparation time.
- Save pepper tops by chopping and mixing them into the filling for added texture and flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 8peppers
Amount Per Serving
Calories 513 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 513kcal | 26% |
| Carbohydrates | 63g | 21% |
| Protein | 18g | 36% |
| Fat | 20g | 31% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Cholesterol | 54mg | 18% |
| Sodium | 469mg | 20% |
| Potassium | 483mg | 10% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 5g | 10% |
| Vitamin A | 3861IU | 77% |
| Vitamin C | 152mg | 169% |
| Calcium | 126mg | 13% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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