I’m thrilled to share my recipe for Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers with you! Picture tender bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, savory mushrooms, and diced onions, all topped off with melting Gruyere cheese! It’s a dish that I crafted with love, perfect for cozy nights in or impressing guests with minimal effort!
Table of Contents
Why I Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it’s my own take on stuffed bell peppers, combining the stuffing technique from our Feta Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers and flavors from our Trader Joe’s Meatball dish with a touch of Japanese meat sauce flavor! It’s an easy, delicious, and filling complete meal all in one dish!
In my version, ground beef is sautéed with Japanese-inspired flavors, stuffed into bell peppers, topped with cheese, and baked until golden brown. The combination of juicy ground beef, tender bell peppers, and melted cheese creates a mouthwatering dish perfect for anyone craving a satisfying meal. And the best part is that during the baking, it gives me plenty of time to cook up another dish or prepare a fresh salad dressed!
So if you’re looking for a hassle-free dinner that’s bursting with flavor, you’ve got to try my Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe—it’s a game-changer!
Ingredients
Ingredients
- Bell Peppers – use any color bell peppers (red, green, yellow, orange etc.)
- Olive Oil – extra virgin olive oil or olive oil of choice.
- Ground Beef – best to use ground beef with an 80/10 lean ratio. Can also use ground turkey but will alter the taste.
- Salt – sea salt preferred.
- Black Pepper – ground.
- Onion – yellow or brown onion.
- Mushrooms – common button white mushrooms. Can also use cremini mushrooms.
- Tomato Paste – in a can.
- Diced Tomatoes – freshly diced tomatoes or diced canned tomatoes.
- Sweetener – use your preferred sweetener.
- Shredded Gruyere – shredded mozzarella cheese will work as well.
Additional Add Ins
For an extra flavor boost to the beef mixture, consider adding Chopped Garlic or Chili Powder.
Essential Kitchen Equipment
Directions
Step 1 Cut off the tops of the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Drizzle some olive oil inside each pepper and place them in a baking dish.
🫑 Tender Bell Pepper Pro Tip
For softer stuffed bell peppers, bake them an Extra 10 Minutes or Blanch in Hot Water for 2-3 Minutes before baking. This ensures a tender texture to your liking without sacrificing flavor.
Step 2 In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef, stirring occasionally, until it’s browned and no longer pink. Add in diced onions and mushrooms, and sauté for an additional 2-3 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
Step 3 Then, stir in tomato paste, diced or crushed tomatoes, salt, black pepper, and your preferred sweetener. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is well combined and heated through.
Step 4 Next, spoon the beef mixture into each bell pepper until they are filled to the top. Sprinkle shredded Gruyere cheese on top of each pepper, covering the beef mixture. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the bell peppers are tender.
Step 5 Once the peppers are tender, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5 minutes to allow the cheese to melt and turn golden brown.
🌿 Garnishing Pro Tip
For a finishing touch, garnish your dish with fresh Chopped Parsley.
Pairing Recommendations
Consider serving these stuffed bell peppers alongside a refreshing Broccoli Caesar Salad, featuring crisp greens and tangy dressing. For a heartier option, a side of Creamy Chicken Soup adds warmth and comfort to the meal!
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I boil the bell pepper?
Boiling bell peppers before stuffing them can yield a very tender texture and shorten baking time, but it's not mandatory. Opting to bake the peppers longer in the oven can also achieve the desired tenderness, eliminating the need for boiling. This method allows the flavors to blend seamlessly during the baking process.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef for this recipe?
Yes, you can absolutely use ground turkey instead of ground beef for this recipe! However, it's important to note that the taste may be slightly altered due to the difference in flavor between ground turkey and ground beef.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later?
While you can make this recipe ahead of time and reheat it later, I highly recommend enjoying it fresh out of the oven for the best taste and texture.
What kind of cheese works best for topping the stuffed bell peppers?
For topping the stuffed bell peppers, any kind of melting cheese works beautifully. Some excellent options include mozzarella, cheddar, Monterey Jack, or even Swiss cheese.
Storage Tips
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container and refrigerate. They will stay fresh for 3-5 days.
Other Recipes You Might Like
- Creamy Ground Beef Stew
- Ground Beef & Mushroom Endive
- Ground Beef Jerky Sticks
- Asparagus Beef Roll Ups
Watch How To Make It
Ground Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers with Tomato Sauce
Ingredients
- 4-6 Whole Bell Peppers
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 lb Ground Beef
- 3/4 tsp Salt
- 1/4 tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 Whole Onion yellow/brown
- 1 Cup Mushrooms common white
- 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
- 14.5 oz Diced Tomatoes
- 2 tbsp Sweetener your preferred sweetener
- 1/2 Cup Shredded Gruyere
Instructions
- Gather all the ingredients.
- Preheat oven to 400F.
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers. The easiest way to do this is to cut around the stem about a half inch from the top of the bell pepper. When you’ve cut the entire way around, gently pull the stem and the top should come off in one piece. Scoop out the seeds and fibers with a spoon.
- Place bell peppers cut side up in a baking dish and drizzle around 1 tbsp of olive oil. If they are having trouble standing up, just cut a little sliver off the bottom.
- Next, slice mushrooms and dice onions.
- In a large frying pan, add 1 tbsp of olive oil on medium-high heat. Without waiting for the oil preheat, add ground beef and break apart with a wooden spoon/spatula. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 3 minutes.
- Add diced onions and mushrooms and cook until softened. Approximately 3 minutes.
- Add in tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes and stir to combine. Lastly, add sweetener and continue to sauté until well incorporated and liquid has reduced, approximately 5 minutes.
- Remove pan from heat and spoon meat sauce mixture into each bell pepper and top with cheese. Cover bell peppers with foil and bake until desired doneness of the bell peppers, around 25-30 minutes.
- Then uncover and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly. Approximately 5 minutes.
Nutrition
*Values Based Per Serving