Classic Stuffed Peppers are colorful, hearty, and versatile — bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of meat, rice, vegetables, and herbs, then baked until tender. Here’s a traditional recipe:
🌶️ Classic Stuffed Peppers
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 50–60 minutes
Ingredients
For the peppers:
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4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
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1 tbsp olive oil
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Salt, for seasoning
For the filling:
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1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or mix beef and pork)
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1 cup cooked rice
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1 small onion, finely chopped
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 cup tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)
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1 tsp dried oregano
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1 tsp dried basil
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Salt and pepper, to taste
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½ cup grated Parmesan or mozzarella (optional)
Instructions
1. Prepare the peppers
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Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
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Cut the tops off the peppers and remove seeds and membranes.
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Optional: lightly blanch peppers in boiling water for 2–3 minutes for extra tenderness.
2. Make the filling
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Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
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Sauté onion and garlic until soft, about 3–4 minutes.
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Add ground meat and cook until browned.
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Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook 2–3 minutes until well combined.
3. Stuff the peppers
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Spoon the filling into the prepared peppers, packing gently.
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Place peppers upright in a baking dish.
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Pour a little tomato sauce over the top of each pepper.
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Sprinkle cheese over the top if using.
4. Bake
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Cover with foil and bake 35–40 minutes.
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Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is golden.
5. Serve
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Serve hot, spooning extra tomato sauce from the pan over the peppers.
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Optional: garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
💡 Tips & Variations
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Vegetarian: Replace meat with cooked lentils, mushrooms, or quinoa.
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Spicy: Add chopped jalapeño or red pepper flakes to the filling.
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Cheesy twist: Mix cheese into the filling for extra creaminess.
If you want, I can also give a Mediterranean version with couscous, feta, and olives — lighter and bursting with flavor. Do you want that version?
