Stuffed Peppers
Table of Contents
Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers is my signature dish! I’ve been making this dish for as long as I can remember, and I’ve developed the recipe over many years of practice. I have yet to meet someone who doesn’t like these. I wanted to make this dish for my husband when we first started dating. You know, show off my skills kind of thing. It was the very first dish I made for him.
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He wrinkled up his nose and claimed he didn’t like them. But, he was willing to try it for me. I actually went in prepared, I bought a steak and had it as a backup in case he really didn’t like my peppers. I even cut the recipe in half so I didn’t have leftovers. Well, I didn’t have leftovers because he ate it all! Now he absolutely loves them and asks for them about once a month, for almost ten years. Another person described them as being better than grandma’s stuffed peppers. That is high praise!
Stuffed Peppers Ingredients
1 pound of ground beef (7% fat)
1 pound of sausage (mild italian is my favorite)
3-4 cloves of garlic, chopped
½ teaspoon McCormick Montreal steak seasoning make your own here
3 tablespoons Herbs De Provence
3 mushrooms chopped
½ an onion, chopped
2 teaspoons garlic salt
2 cans tomato sauce
1 can stewed tomatoes
1 cup of minute rice
4-6 bell peppers (I prefer red and yellow ones, but it’s a matter of preference)
Cheddar cheese, shredded
Stuffed Peppers Directions
Mix the steak seasoning into the ground beef. It basically seasons it from the inside out. Tip: this is a great method for homemade burgers too, before forming the patties.
In a large (I use the biggest one I have in the kitchen) frying pan, combine everything except the tomato sauce, stewed tomatoes, and rice. Brown everything in the frying pan. No oil is needed because there is plenty of grease in the sausage.
It is time to drain the grease from the pan. I use paper towels and do it a couple of times, making sure to tip the pan and get the most out that I can. At this point, I put in the stewed tomatoes and kind of break them up a bit, but still leave fairly good chunks in it. Add the sauce and keep stirring it all together. Tip: You can add more garlic salt or Herbs De Provence if needed at this point.
Do not pre-cook the rice!
Next I add in the rice. I do not pre-cook the rice. It is dry when I put it in the pan. I like to cook the rice in the tomato sauce. The sauce flavors the rice. Most of the tomato sauce is absorbed by the rice. Once the rice is cooked, more sauce may need to be added if the mixture looks dry. Sometimes I have to add maybe half a can of tomato sauce to it to give it more moisture. Nothing is worse that dry stuffed peppers.
I turn the heat down to let the mixture simmer with the rice in it, 7-10 minutes. Stirring when the sauce starts to bubble around the edges of the pan. This not only causes a huge mess, but it can burn you as well if you happen to be standing at the stove. If using a numbered dial on the stove, go with 3.
Pick a colorful variety of peppers, not just green
For the peppers themselves, I prefer orange, red, or yellow peppers. Some people prefer green, but for me, they cause heartburn. You know that feeling when you eat cucumbers and you burp it up the rest of the night? Yeah, that’s why I don’t use green peppers. But it’s totally up to you. Customize it to your preference. When you are looking for peppers at the store, look for the ones with 4 bumps on the bottom, and make sure they are fairly tall and well shaped. This will help them stand upright in the baking dish, and give you the best looking peppers, plus have more room for stuffing.
Cut peppers like you carve a pumpkin!
When I cut mine, I basically carve them, much the same way I would a pumpkin. I would not just lay it down and chop the top off. It’s a waste of pepper and it shortens them significantly, which isn’t good for stuffing them. Another tip is to carve them up first, and chop the part you cut up into the meat and veggies and cook them there. It’s more flavor and keeps waste down. Use as much as possible, right? Clean out the peppers of seeds and rinse them. I always turn them upside down on a paper towel while my meat is cooking so they are dry and ready to be stuffed.
I use a square baking dish, that way I can put peppers in all four corners and a couple in the middle, with room around them all. Every time I make this, I have more of the stuffing mixture than I do peppers, so I put it in the baking dish around the peppers, and it kind of becomes a binder to keep the peppers from falling over.
Time to bake!
Once it is all ready, bake in a 350 degree oven for 45 minutes. From there, sprinkle however much shredded cheddar cheese on top of the peppers and turn the oven setting to broil. Leave in the oven long enough to melt the cheese so it is nice and ooey-gooey. You’re done! I serve this with a simple salad and that’s it. My husband likes to cut his open on the plate and sprinkle some more cheese onto the stuffing mixture when I serve it to him.
Notes
I hope you enjoy these stuffed peppers as much as I do! It is always a favorite in my household. My husband and I still get a great laugh out of him not wanting to try them when we first started dating. Now he frequently requests this dish. Easily his absolute favorite, as well as mine.
Discussion
I’ve made stuffed peppers for many occasions and many people. It is such a fun dish that I just really enjoy making for other people. If you are looking to impress someone, this is the recipe for you!
Check out my other beef recipes!
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54 Comments
Cath
Not a fan of cooking BUT THIS LOOKS ABSOLUTELY GOOD!! Aside from blogging, coffee, and studying, the other thing I usually love is food!! Can’t wait to show this my mom ♡
The Prepping Wife
I say many things are a favorite in my house, because they usually are. But this is number one on the favorites list. I’m excited for you to show it to your mom too! Let me know if she makes it and what she thinks.
Nero N
These look delicious. I’ve never been a fan of peppers but since there’s beef and rice, I can make an exception.
The Prepping Wife
If you try them, let me know what you think, Nero!
Johnny
Yesss…and especially with the Herbs De Provence. So delicious! I don’t do rice, but I’d EASILY swap it out for riced cauliflower. Stuffed peppers are one of my faves, so I’m gonna go ahead and save this recipe in my bookmarks for sure. Thanks!
The Prepping Wife
I had never thought about swapping rice for cauliflower. I am really curious about that now. If you make it, please let me know how it goes with the cauliflower!
Scott DeNicola
I used to have stuffed peppers as a kid all the time. This was a big meal at my house. I kind of forgot about it until this article. Brings me back! Looks like I know what I’ll be adding to the dinner menu at my house.
Mama P
I’ve never seen someone mix the beef and the sausage – it’s always one or the other. Mixing them sound so much tastier though!
The Prepping Wife
I mix them in several recipes, now that I think about it. This, spaghetti, and even my meatloaf.
Despite Pain
Oh, I’ve just had dinner, and now I am salivating looking at those peppers. They look delicious.
Sharon
i have seen so many stuffed pepper recipes lately, really itching to give it a try myself! thanks for sharing this one! xx
The Prepping Wife
I just made these last night with my husband, which is why I decided to post it. It is such a fun dish to make.
Luna S
This looks so good! I love stuffed peppers, my husband sadly isn’t a fan though so I don’t make it often.
Jo
They are not something I’ve ever tried but will give it a go. They look really nice.
SarahRCR
I also used to have these a lot growing up but had kind of forgotten about them! I will bookmark this page and try to make these myself with your awesome additions in the near future!
Tracy @ Cleland Clan
I haven’t had stuffed peppers for ages! I’ll definitely have to make this recipe.
Megan McC
This looks absolutely delicious! I can’t wait to try the recipe. The bright peppers just pull me right in.
Ashli
I don’t even like peppers but these look delicious!!!
Tera
This looks so good I feel like I could smell it through the phone! I’ve been looking for a really good stuffed pepper recipe and I found it finally! Definitely trying this for dinner!!
Lauren | My Favorite Job Title Is Mom
Yum! This recipe looks amazing and not too complicated. I love stuffed peppers, especially when it’s chilly outside. I’ll have to add this to next week’s meal planning.
Sousa Deb
I love pepper and I’ve tried a similar recipe, but your looks so much better !! I´ll try it , thanks for sharing
Live Learn better
I used to get scared of touching stuffed peppers until my wife forced me to taste it. I was like I don’t do spicy!
But since then, I have been a fan
Andrea (2oddravens)
These looks yummy! We’re keto, but I feel like these guys could be easily modified to be keto friendly. I’ll have to try it out and report back to you!
Hedy
I was looking to try a recipe for stuffed peppers, and this came my way! I appreciate how you took photos during the process of making it, this is always helpful!
Mary
Ok… if they are truly better than grandma’s, you must be on to something 😊
WifeSAHMLife
OoooooOO… YUMM! I can always use another stuffed pepper recipe! Thanks for sharing, I pinned it and am going to try it for sure!
Jessica
I’ve been actually meaning to look this recipe on Pinterest and I’ve litrrally forgotten about it until I read your post !!! LOOKS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! Have you ever done the green peppers before !?!
Amy
Looks delicious! Will have to try
Arielle Joy
Yum! This recipe sounds good. I enjoy making stuffed peppers but I’ve only made them during Halloween in orange peppers cut like jack-o-lanterns!
The Sunny Side
Aaaaaand dinner is served! Pinning and making this!
Fatima Torres
There’s something about this dish that drives me crazy! I think it’s the way my house smells when my husband prepares it. It always reminds me of my mom’s cooking. Delicious.
Amy Jane
This recipe is just perfect! I always struggle whilst cutting peppers and getting the seeds out, I’ll make sure to use this method and try this recipe out!
Tamra
This looks good! I may have to try this recipe!
Becky
These look amazing! My husband loves these. I used a different recipe and they did not turn out well. I will have to try this one soon! Thanks for sharing!
Michelle
I hate to admit it but I have not ever been a fan of stuffed peppers. A few of the things that you do to yours have me thinking that maybe I should reconsider and try them again. First – sausage AND ground beef? YUM. Second – cooking the rice in the sauce? Genius! I think I am going to have to try this one!
Jessy
I love stuffed peppers also. I have tried with ground beef not with sausage and ground beef. I will make it with cauliflower and ground beef next time. Loved your pictures
Andrew Comte
Stuffed peppers bring back fond memories. My father made these when I was a child and it was always a treat when he did. I’ll have to definitely try these.
Sonia Seivwright
I have heard of stuffed peppers before but never tried it. Sounds easy to make and looks delicious
Dreams Abroad
Stuffed peppers are one of my comfort meals. I love this recipe because of the easiness. You use ingredients that can be found at all grocery stores. I will have to try this soon.
Kelly Martin
Oh yum! I haven’t made stuffed peppers for ages. This recipe looks great. I’ll try it out on the weekend.
Daphne Takahashi
I loooove stuffed peppers!! Even more the yellow ones! I find them to be the sweetest. Great recipe thanks for sharing! 🙂
Subhashish Roy
Stuffed pepper is one of my all time favorite dishes. It tastes just yummy. It is also one of my go to dishes when I travel abroad and I find it in the menu.
Thuy
I really enjoy eating stuffed peppers, but I’ve never made my own before. Perhaps I’ll make some for Friendsgiving
Lindsay Brown
I love stuffed peppers! And your recipe looks amazing, I love finding great recipes like this becasue my husband is a chef and it is always so gratifying to cook something for him that he loves – I can already tell he will love these stuffed peppers!
The Sunny Side Lifestyle Co.
These look delicious and so easy to make! Although I have made stuffed peppers I have not made them with ground beef and sausage; I’ll be adding in the sausage next time. Thanks for sharing!
Emily
My grandma used to make amazing stuffed peppers and I haven’t yet been able to replicate them. This recipe looks great, I’ll have to try it out and see if they live up to Grandma’s!
Kileen
This looks so yummy! Love peppers, so definitely have to try this recipe out. So delicious, I’m sure my family would love this too!
Kileen
LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia
I was just saying the other day that I need to make stuffed peppers because it’s been so long! This recipe looks really interesting. I never thought about adding the filling in and around the peppers – practical and delicious!
Lyosha
Great recipe! It is just how mother did it when I was little. Haven’t eaten it for ages, thanks!
Britt K
My husband is the same way whenever I try to make something new for him. He starts by claiming he doesn’t like it up front and then when he tries it and realizes he was judging too quickly, it founds its place in our regular rotation. In our case, it’s often vegetarian meals (I’m vegetarian) when I don’t feel like making meat on the side lol I’m glad to hear that it went so well for you!
Lene Andersen
When I was a kid, my mother would make stuffed peppers — I think possibly without the rice? Anyway, my parents loved the dish, I didn’t. Now, on the other hand, it’s a completely different story. I make stuffed peppers with black beans and rice, as sort of southwestern flavours, that’s really nice, as well. I love your tip about putting the rice in dry so it cooks in the tomato sauce. I’m definitely going to try that!
Lyanna Soria
It’s been a while since I had stuffed peppers. That looks quite tasty, will have to try that one out sometime.
Debra Roberts
A total favorite staple of mine indeed! I prefer sausage over hamburger for sure!
Kelly Martin
I haven’t had stuffed peppers for years. It’s such a nice comfort meal and easy to make as well. I like your idea of using different coloured peppers to make the dish more colorful.