Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers: A Classic Weeknight Supper Made Simple

Are you looking for a delicious, satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare on busy weeknights? Look no further than ground beef stuffed peppers. This classic dish combines the sweetness of bell peppers with savory ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melted cheese for a comforting and nutritious dinner that’s sure to please the whole family.

As you embark on your stuffed pepper adventure, you’ll discover just how versatile and customizable this dish can be. Whether you prefer traditional flavors or want to experiment with different spices and ingredients, stuffed peppers offer endless possibilities for creating a meal that suits your tastes perfectly.

In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know to make mouthwatering ground beef stuffed peppers, from selecting the best peppers to tenderizing the beef and assembling the perfect filling. So roll up your sleeves, preheat that oven, and get ready to impress your taste buds with this timeless favorite.

Choosing the Perfect Peppers

The foundation of any great stuffed pepper dish is, of course, the peppers themselves. When you’re at the grocery store or farmers market, keep these tips in mind to select the best bell peppers for your recipe:

• Look for peppers that are bright, shiny, and firm to the touch
• Avoid peppers with wrinkled skin, soft spots, or moldy stems
• For the sweetest flavor, opt for red, orange, or yellow peppers instead of green ones

Pro tip: Green bell peppers are actually unripe and tend to have a slightly bitter taste. If left to fully ripen, they’ll eventually turn red, orange, or yellow and develop a much sweeter flavor.

Once you’ve brought your peppers home, store them in the refrigerator crisper drawer where they’ll keep for up to a week. When you’re ready to use them, give them a good rinse under cool water and pat them dry before cutting.

Tenderizing the Ground Beef: A Game-Changing Technique

Before you start cooking, there’s a simple trick you can use to ensure your ground beef stays tender and juicy throughout the cooking process. This technique, which uses baking soda to raise the pH of the meat, helps lock in moisture and results in a much more pleasant texture.

Here’s how to do it:

1. In a medium bowl, combine your ground beef with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of baking soda per pound of meat.
2. Use your hands to mix the ingredients until they’re evenly distributed.
3. Let the mixture sit for 20 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients.

This tenderizing method works wonders not just for stuffed peppers, but for any ground beef recipe where you want the meat to stay moist and tender, like enchiladas, chili, or shepherd’s pie.

Roasting the Peppers: A Flavorful First Step

While many recipes call for boiling the peppers before stuffing, roasting them instead adds more flavor and reduces cleanup. Here’s how to prepare your peppers for stuffing:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. Slice each pepper in half from the stem end down through the base.
3. Remove all seeds and membranes from inside the peppers.
4. Place the pepper halves cut-side up in a 9×13-inch baking dish.
5. Drizzle the peppers with a tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with a pinch of salt.
6. Roast for about 20 minutes, until the peppers are slightly browned and tender-crisp.

Don’t worry if you see a bit of liquid accumulating in the bottom of the peppers after roasting – this is perfectly normal and will add flavor to the final dish.

Creating the Perfect Filling

Now that your peppers are roasted and your beef is tenderized, it’s time to create the delicious filling that will bring this dish together. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making a flavorful stuffing:

1. Sauté the aromatics:

• Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add 1 diced onion and cook until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
• Add 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for another minute.

1. Cook the beef:

• Increase the heat to medium-high and add your tenderized ground beef.
• Season with 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon oregano.
• Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until browned (4-5 minutes).

1. Add tomato sauce:

• Pour in 1 cup of tomato sauce and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 2-3 minutes until the meat is fully cooked.

1. Finish the filling:

• Stir in 1 cup of cooked rice and 3/4 cup of shredded cheese.
• Mix until the cheese is melted and remove from heat.

Stuffing and Baking: The Final Steps

With your filling prepared and peppers roasted, you’re ready for the home stretch. Here’s how to assemble and bake your stuffed peppers:

1. Spoon the meat filling evenly into each roasted pepper half.
2. Top each pepper with additional shredded cheese (about 2 tablespoons per pepper).
3. Return the baking dish to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes at 400°F (200°C).
4. The peppers are done when the filling is hot and the cheese is melted and bubbling.

Serving Suggestions and Variations

Ground beef stuffed peppers are a meal in themselves, but they pair wonderfully with a few simple sides. Here are some ideas to round out your dinner:

• Serve with a slice of warm cornbread
• Add a fresh green salad on the side
• Offer sour cream or Greek yogurt for topping

Don’t be afraid to get creative with your stuffed peppers. Here are some variations to try:

• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or Italian sausage
• Use quinoa or cauliflower rice instead of regular rice
• Experiment with different cheese blends, like pepper jack or feta
• Add black beans or corn to the filling for a Tex-Mex twist

Bringing It All Together : Your New Go To Weeknight Meal

As you’ve seen, making delicious ground beef stuffed peppers is a straightforward process that yields impressive results. By choosing quality ingredients, tenderizing your beef, and roasting your peppers for extra flavor, you’ve elevated a classic dish into something truly special.

Whether you stick to the traditional recipe or put your own spin on it, stuffed peppers are sure to become a regular part of your weeknight dinner rotation. They’re not just tasty and satisfying – they’re also a great way to pack in vegetables and protein in one colorful, convenient package.

So the next time you’re wondering what to make for dinner, remember this versatile and crowd-pleasing option. With a little prep and about an hour of cooking time, you’ll have a wholesome, homemade meal that’s sure to satisfy even the pickiest eaters in your household.

For more delicious recipes, explore our collection of Ground Beef Recipes

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I make stuffed peppers ahead of time?

A: Absolutely! You can prepare the peppers and filling up to a day in advance. Store the roasted peppers and filling separately in the refrigerator, then assemble and bake when you’re ready to eat.

Q: How long do leftover stuffed peppers last?

A: Properly stored in an airtight container, leftover stuffed peppers will keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Q: Can I freeze stuffed peppers?

A: Yes, stuffed peppers freeze well. Let them cool completely, then wrap individually in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. They’ll keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.

Q: What can I use instead of rice in the filling?

A: If you’re looking for a low-carb option, try cauliflower rice, quinoa, or simply omit the grain altogether and add more vegetables to the filling.

Q: My peppers always come out watery. How can I prevent this?

A: Roasting the peppers before stuffing them helps reduce excess moisture. You can also try par-boiling the rice so it absorbs less liquid during baking.

Q: Can I make these in a slow cooker?

A: Yes! Brown the meat and prepare the filling as directed, then stuff the raw peppers and cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.