Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe | Quick & Delicious Family Meal

If you’re looking for a meal that’s both comforting and healthy, these Easy Stuffed Peppers are perfect for you! They’re packed with flavor, loaded with veggies, and customizable to suit everyone’s taste. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make, and the best part? You can prepare them in advance for a quick and simple dinner when you’re short on time. Whether you’re cooking for a family dinner or prepping a meal for the week, these stuffed peppers are sure to become a regular in your recipe rotation.

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Why You’ll Love This Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe

What’s not to love about stuffed peppers? They’re nutritious, customizable, and have that perfect combination of savory flavors. Plus, they’re made in a single pan, so clean-up is a breeze!

These stuffed peppers are packed with protein from ground turkey (or beef), rice, and plenty of veggies, making them a complete meal that’s satisfying and filling. If you’re trying to eat healthier, these peppers are also great for meal prepping! You can make a big batch, store them in the fridge, and easily reheat them for quick lunches or dinners.

Plus, they’re easily customizable! You can switch up the protein, use brown rice or quinoa, or even try them without rice for a lower-carb version.

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Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious stuffed peppers:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color you prefer, red, green, yellow, or orange)
• 1 lb ground turkey (or ground beef, chicken, or pork)
• 1 cup cooked rice (you can also use quinoa, cauliflower rice, or couscous for a twist)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix works great)
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp cumin
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley or cilantro, for garnish (optional)

Optional Add-Ons/Substitutes:

• For a vegetarian version, you can swap the meat for black beans or lentils.
• You can also add some frozen corn, black olives, or chopped zucchini to the stuffing for extra flavor and texture.

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How To Make Easy Stuffed Peppers

Ready to get started? Let’s walk through how to make these stuffed peppers step by step:

1. Prepare the Peppers:
   Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While the oven is heating up, carefully cut the tops off of the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers in a baking dish and set them aside. If you want them to stay standing, you can trim a tiny bit off the bottom (just make sure you don’t cut through the pepper).
2. Cook the Filling:
   In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté them for about 3-4 minutes until they become soft and fragrant. Next, add the ground turkey (or beef) to the skillet. Cook until the meat is browned and fully cooked through, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
3. Add the Flavors:
   Once the meat is cooked, stir in the chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Add the diced tomatoes and cooked rice (or quinoa). Mix everything together and let it simmer for about 5 minutes so the flavors can meld together. Taste and adjust the seasonings if needed.
4. Stuff the Peppers:
   Carefully spoon the meat and rice mixture into each bell pepper, packing it in tightly. Be generous—fill those peppers up to the brim!
5. Bake the Peppers:
   Once all your peppers are stuffed, cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded cheese on top of each stuffed pepper, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
6. Garnish and Serve:
   Once your stuffed peppers are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or cilantro before serving for a burst of freshness.

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Pro Tips

• Cook the Rice in Advance: To save time, you can cook the rice ahead of time and store it in the fridge. This will make the assembly of the stuffed peppers even faster.
• Don’t Overcook the Peppers: You want your peppers to be tender but still slightly firm. Overcooking can make them too mushy, so be mindful of the baking time.
• Freeze for Later: Stuffed peppers freeze beautifully! To freeze, assemble the peppers but skip the baking step. Wrap each stuffed pepper in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to eat, just bake from frozen—just increase the cooking time by 10-15 minutes.

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How To Serve

These stuffed peppers are a meal on their own, but they’re also great paired with a fresh side salad, roasted vegetables, or a simple garlic bread to soak up any leftover sauce. If you want to get fancy, serve them with a dollop of sour cream or guacamole on the side for an extra touch of creamy goodness.

For a fun twist, you can serve them family-style by placing the peppers on a large platter with extra cheese, cilantro, and hot sauce for everyone to customize their own.

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Nutritional Information (Per Serving)

Each stuffed pepper is packed with flavor and nutrition! Here’s an estimate of the nutritional breakdown for one stuffed pepper:

• Calories: 300-350 (depends on the meat and cheese used)
• Protein: 25-30g (thanks to the meat and rice)
• Carbs: 30-35g (from rice or quinoa)
• Fat: 15-20g (from the meat and cheese)

If you want to lower the calories or carbs, you can use lean ground turkey, cauliflower rice, or skip the cheese topping.

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Storage and Reheating Tips

These stuffed peppers are perfect for meal prep, and leftovers store wonderfully:

• Storage: Allow the stuffed peppers to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. They’ll keep in the fridge for up to 3-4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or bake in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Freezing: You can freeze stuffed peppers before or after baking. If freezing before baking, just wrap them tightly and store in a freezer-safe container. When ready to eat, bake them directly from frozen (just add about 10 extra minutes to the baking time).

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Conclusion

This Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe is an absolute winner in our house! It’s easy, flavorful, and family-friendly, making it a perfect weeknight meal. Whether you’re cooking for a crowd or just your family, these stuffed peppers are sure to satisfy everyone. Don’t forget to adjust the recipe to suit your tastes and dietary needs—it’s incredibly versatile!

I’d love to hear how these stuffed peppers turn out for you! Feel free to share any variations or tips you discover along the way. And if you’re looking for more easy, delicious meals, check out some of my other recipes that your family will love!