Savory Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers with Rice & Cheese: The Ultimate Family Dinner

Discover the ultimate comfort food with these savory Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers! This healthy and incredibly satisfying dinner is packed with a flavorful blend of seasoned ground beef, tender pinto beans, fluffy rice, and rich tomatoes, all generously layered with gooey mozzarella cheese. Perfect for a busy weeknight or a cozy family gathering, these stuffed bell peppers come together in about 45 minutes, offering a complete meal that’s both hearty and wholesome.

While these stuffed peppers are substantial enough to be a standalone meal, pairing them with a simple side can elevate your dinner experience. Consider serving them alongside a crisp green salad with a light vinaigrette for a refreshing contrast. For a touch of Southern comfort, a slice of Honey Butter Cornbread or some warm Garlic Cheesy Drop Biscuits would complement the robust flavors wonderfully. These additions not only enhance the meal but also provide options for different textures and tastes.

Our rendition of stuffed peppers with beef and rice takes on a delightful “sloppy joe-esque” character, but with an elevated, more nutritious twist. We’ve meticulously crafted a savory filling featuring lean ground beef, fluffy rice, and a rich tomato sauce base. To boost the fiber and protein content, we’ve incorporated hearty pinto beans, transforming this dish into a truly well-rounded and nourishing meal. And, of course, no family-favorite stuffed pepper recipe is complete without a generous amount of melty mozzarella cheese, tying all the robust flavors together for a truly satisfying experience.

If you’re a fan of combining ground beef and beans for a wholesome dinner, you’ll also adore our Healthy Taco Soup – another easy and delicious recipe that promises to be a hit with everyone at the table!

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🛒 Essential Ingredients for Delicious Stuffed Peppers

One of the best aspects of this beef and rice stuffed peppers recipe is that it relies on many common pantry staples. This not only makes it an incredibly easy dish to whip up but also helps keep the cost down. If you’re lucky enough to have a garden, using fresh green peppers and ripe tomatoes will elevate the flavors even further!

• Bell Peppers: Choose large, firm bell peppers of any color. Green bell peppers are typically the most budget-friendly and offer a slightly more peppery flavor. Red, orange, and yellow varieties tend to be sweeter and milder once cooked, adding a beautiful color contrast to your dish. Ensure they are robust enough to hold the generous filling.
• Ground Beef or Turkey: For a healthier option and to minimize excess grease, I always recommend selecting the leanest ground beef or turkey available. Less fat means less draining, making your cooking process smoother and your meal lighter.
• Rice: My go-to is brown rice, which offers a lovely nutty flavor and added fiber, though it requires about 35 minutes to cook. If you’re pressed for time, white rice (cooking in about 20 minutes) or even minute rice can be used. Just adjust cooking times and water ratios according to package directions. I often use a similar preparation method to my Cilantro Lime Brown Rice, simply omitting the lime juice for this recipe.
• Tomatoes: Whether you opt for canned diced tomatoes or fresh, ripe tomatoes from your garden, they are crucial for providing a delightful tartness and forming the flavorful base of our rich sauce. Do not drain the canned tomatoes; the liquid is essential for a saucy filling.
• Mozzarella Cheese: Shredded mozzarella is the star here, melting beautifully to create a luscious, cheesy topping that binds all the flavors together. Its mild, creamy profile perfectly complements the savory beef and tangy tomato sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: This secret weapon adds an incredible depth of umami and a savory tang that truly elevates the flavor of the ground beef filling. Don’t skip it!
• Spices: A simple yet powerful blend of garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper is all you need to season the filling to perfection. These foundational spices build a robust flavor profile.
• Brown Sugar: A small amount of brown sugar works wonders in balancing the acidity from the tomatoes and vinegar, creating a perfectly rounded and harmonious flavor in the filling.

For a complete list of ingredients and precise quantities, please refer to the comprehensive recipe card located at the bottom of this page.

✏️ Creative Substitutions & Flavorful Variations

This ground beef stuffed peppers recipe is incredibly versatile, allowing for easy substitutions and creative additions to suit your taste and what you have on hand. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!

• Bean Swaps: If pinto beans aren’t your preference or you simply don’t have them, canned Navy beans, Great Northern Beans, or even black beans make excellent alternatives. They all contribute a similar creamy texture and boost of protein and fiber.
• Grain Alternatives: Beyond brown rice, you can easily use white rice, quick-cooking minute rice, or even a healthier option like quinoa. Remember to cook any alternative grain according to its package directions, as water amounts and cooking times will vary significantly.
• Add a Spicy Kick: For those who love a bit of heat, consider adding finely chopped fresh jalapeño to the onions while they’re cooking. Alternatively, a pinch or two of red pepper flakes stirred into the filling will provide a subtle but noticeable warmth.
• Different Ground Meats: Ground beef is fantastic, but for a leaner option, ground turkey or ground chicken can be used interchangeably. Ensure you cook them until no pink remains, just as you would with beef.
• Cheese Choices: While mozzarella delivers that classic melty pull, don’t hesitate to use other cheeses if that’s what’s in your fridge. Shredded cheddar cheese or Colby Jack cheese are excellent substitutes, offering their own unique flavor profiles that pair wonderfully with the savory filling.
• Vegetable Boost: Enhance the nutritional value and flavor by mixing in finely diced carrots, celery, or zucchini into the beef and bean mixture while it simmers.
• Herb Power: Fresh herbs like parsley or oregano, added at the end of cooking the filling, can bring a vibrant, fresh note.
• Sauce Enhancements: A dash of balsamic glaze or a swirl of hot sauce (like Sriracha) can add an extra layer of complexity to the tomato-based sauce.

🧑‍🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions for Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers

Follow these detailed instructions to create perfectly stuffed bell peppers that are bursting with flavor and baked to cheesy perfection. Being organized with your ingredients and prep will make this process even smoother!

Step 1. (pictured above) Cook the Rice: Begin by preparing and cooking your chosen rice (brown, white, or minute) according to its package directions. Brown rice typically takes around 35 minutes, so starting this first allows it to be ready by the time your filling is prepared.

Step 2. (pictured above) Brown the Beef and Onions: While the rice is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the lean ground beef and diced yellow onion. Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring frequently and breaking the ground beef into small, even pieces, until it’s fully browned and no pink remains, and the onions have softened and become translucent. This step is crucial for developing the foundational flavor of your filling. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess grease into a heat-safe container (like an old can) and discard it—never pour grease down your sink!

Step 3. (pictured above) Prepare the Flavorful Filling: To the skillet with the browned beef and onions, add the pinto beans (drained), diced tomatoes (do not drain the liquid—it adds essential moisture and flavor), tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, white vinegar, and all your measured spices (brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper). Stir everything thoroughly to combine. Reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer gently for 10 minutes. This simmering time allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.

Step 5. (pictured above) Preheat Oven & Layer with Cheese: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the prepared bell pepper halves, open side up, in a 9×13-inch baking dish. To create a delicious cheesy base and prevent the peppers from becoming overly soggy, layer the bottom of each pepper half with approximately 2 tablespoons of shredded mozzarella cheese. This amounts to about 1 cup of cheese distributed among the 8 pepper halves.

Step 6. (pictured above) Add the Rice Layer: Next, scoop about ¼ cup of the cooked rice into the bottom of each pepper half, on top of the cheese layer. It’s perfectly fine if the rice is still warm from cooking; it will continue to absorb flavors as it bakes.

Step 7. (pictured above) Fill with Ground Beef Mixture: Spoon about ½ cup of the savory ground beef filling into each pepper. Don’t be shy if it overflows a little – more delicious saucy filling is always a good thing, ensuring every bite is packed with flavor!

❓Frequently Asked Questions About Stuffed Peppers

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📝 Printable Recipe Card: Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers