The Best Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers (A Comfort Food Classic!)
Hello, my friends! There are certain recipes that just feel like a warm hug from the inside out. They’re the classic, no-fuss meals that transport you right back to your childhood kitchen. For me, at the very top of that list, is this recipe for Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers. Imagine tender, sweet green peppers, filled…
Hello, my friends! There are certain recipes that just feel like a warm hug from the inside out. They’re the classic, no-fuss meals that transport you right back to your childhood kitchen. For me, at the very top of that list, is this recipe for Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers. Imagine tender, sweet green peppers, filled to the brim with a savory, hearty mixture of seasoned ground beef and fluffy rice, all slow-baked in a rich, simple tomato sauce until everything is perfectly cooked and the flavors have melded into something truly magical.
This is the kind of timeless, comforting meal that has been gracing family dinner tables for generations, and for good reason. It’s a complete, satisfying meal all in one perfect little pepper package. It’s wonderfully simple to make, uses basic pantry staples, and fills your home with the most incredible, nostalgic aroma. This is comfort food at its absolute finest.
Why This is the Stuffed Pepper Recipe You’ll Cherish
This recipe is a true classic, perfected over time to deliver that comforting flavor we all crave. Here’s why it’s so special.
- A Taste of Nostalgia: This is a true throwback recipe. The simple, savory flavors are familiar, comforting, and guaranteed to bring a smile to everyone’s face.
- A Complete Meal in a Pepper: You have your protein, your vegetables, and your grains all cooked together in one perfect, self-contained serving.
- Incredibly Simple to Make: Despite the impressive final result, the steps are incredibly easy and straightforward. It’s a perfect recipe for cooks of all skill levels.
- Hearty and Satisfying: This is a truly filling and satisfying meal that will leave the whole family happy and with full bellies.
- Great for Meal Prep: These peppers are fantastic for making ahead of time and taste even better the next day as the flavors continue to meld.
Gather Your Classic Ingredients: What You’ll Need
Let’s get our simple, wholesome ingredients ready for this comforting dish.
- 6 Large Green Peppers: Look for peppers that are similar in size and have a nice, flat bottom so they can stand up easily.
- 1 ½ pounds Ground Beef
- ¾ cup Chopped Onion
- 3 cans (15 ounces each) Tomato Sauce, divided: This is the heart of our rich sauce.
- 3 cups Cooked Rice: This is a fantastic way to use up leftover rice!
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- Optional Toppings: Shredded cheddar cheese, chopped fresh parsley, and a dollop of sour cream.
Crafting Your Stuffed Peppers: Step-by-Step Guide
Let’s build these beautiful, comforting stuffed peppers together.
- Prep the Peppers: First, preheat your oven to 350°F. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut the tops off the green peppers. Remove and discard the seeds and white membranes from the inside. Now, to give them a head start on getting tender, we’ll blanch them. In a large pot or Dutch oven, bring water to a boil. Carefully place the hollowed-out peppers in the boiling water and cook for just 3-4 minutes, until they are “crisp-tender.” Drain them well and rinse them in cold water to stop the cooking process.
- Make the Savory Filling: In a large skillet, cook the ground beef and chopped onion over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, breaking the beef into crumbles, until it’s no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain off any excess grease from the skillet. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in 3 cups of the tomato sauce (that’s two of your cans!), the cooked rice, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Stuff and Arrange: Now for the fun part! Spoon the hearty beef and rice mixture evenly into each of your blanched peppers, packing it in gently. Place the stuffed peppers upright in an ungreased shallow 3-quart baking dish. They should be snug in the dish to help them stay standing.
- Sauce and Bake: Drizzle the remaining can of tomato sauce over the tops of the stuffed peppers. Cover the baking dish with foil.
- Bake to Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, until the peppers are perfectly tender and the filling is hot and bubbly. Let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm with your favorite optional toppings, like a sprinkle of cheddar cheese, some fresh parsley, or a dollop of sour cream.
Wise Tips for the Best Stuffed Peppers
- Don’t Skip the Blanching! That quick 3-4 minute boil for the peppers is a crucial step. It ensures that the peppers will be perfectly tender and cooked through at the same time as the filling is heated, preventing crunchy, undercooked peppers in your final dish.
- The Rice Shortcut: This recipe is the absolute best way to use up leftover cooked rice from a previous meal. It saves you a step and prevents food waste!
- Choose Your Peppers Wisely: Look for peppers that are uniform in size and have a nice, stable base so they don’t tip over in the baking dish.
Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut tops from peppers and remove seeds. In a Dutch oven, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-4 minutes until crisp-tender; drain and rinse in cold water.
- In a large skillet, cook beef and onion until beef is no longer pink; drain. Remove from heat. Stir in 3 cups of the tomato sauce, the cooked rice, salt, garlic powder, and pepper.
- Spoon the beef mixture into the prepared peppers. Place them upright in a shallow 3-qt. baking dish. Drizzle with the remaining tomato sauce.
- Bake, covered, until peppers are tender, 25-30 minutes. Serve with desired toppings.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Can I use different colored bell peppers?
Yes, absolutely! Red, yellow, or orange bell peppers would be fantastic. Just be aware that they have a sweeter, milder flavor than green peppers, which will slightly change the taste of the final dish. - Can I make these stuffed peppers ahead of time?
This is a great make-ahead meal! You can fully assemble the stuffed peppers in the baking dish, cover with foil, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You may need to add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time since you’ll be starting with a cold dish. - Can I make this recipe vegetarian?
Easily! For a vegetarian version, you can substitute the ground beef with a plant-based ground “meat,” or a mixture of cooked lentils and mushrooms for a hearty, savory filling. - How do I store and reheat leftovers?
Store any leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. They reheat beautifully in the microwave or by covering them with foil and warming them in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Conclusion
There is a deep and satisfying comfort that comes from a classic, home-cooked meal like these Old-Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers. It’s a simple, wholesome, and incredibly delicious dish that has been loved for generations. It’s the perfect, hearty meal for a cozy family dinner, and it’s a wonderful way to turn simple ingredients into something truly special. I hope you and your loved ones enjoy this taste of classic comfort!
