Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ground Beef and Rice
Stuffed Pepper!
I remember these stuffed bell peppers with ground beef and rice from my childhood. My mom used to make them when the weather started to cool down. Many cultures have a version of them, but they are prevalent in Romania and Hungary.
These stuffed bell peppers are a result of testing out many variations of the recipe and coming up with my own version that comes out delicious every time. Baking them, rather than using the stovetop method that I grew up with, ensures a consistent result. Even more, the peppers will start to caramelize in the oven.
I use a variety of colors of peppers. However, the yellow and orange bell peppers are the sweetest, and therefore, my personal favorite.
Variety of Bell Pepper.
Also, most recipes make it with tomato sauce. I found that using ketchup gives the meat an ever so slight tangy sweetness.
Steps to the most delectable Stuffed Peppers you will ever eat:
Start by cutting across the tops of each bell pepper. Scoop out and discard the seeds and veins. Keep the tops. The tops make for a cute decoration.
Bell Pepper with seeds and veins.
Cleaned out Bell Peppers.
Next, mix the ground beef, rice, onion, 2 cups of the ketchup, salt, onion powder, pepper, and celery salt in a bowl.
Stuff each bell pepper with the ground beef mixture. It’s okay if you pack the stuffing in the peppers. While the rice expands during the cooking process, so do the peppers.
Pepper stuffed with meat mixture.
Divide the bell pepper between two pots or casserole dishes. You will have between 12 to 14 Stuffed Bell Peppers. I like to serve 2 per person per meal.
These also make a great leftover meal. Just pop it in the microwave for a few minutes. As you know, we love leftovers in my house. However, if cooking for fewer people, just cut the ingredients in half. No big deal.
Bell Peppers stuffed with meat mixture.
Mix the remaining 1 cup ketchup with the chicken stock. Pour over and around the bell peppers. This will make a little sauce as it cooks down.
Tomato mixture over pepper.
If you like, put the tops back on before baking. They make for a charming little decoration.
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If baking both pots at the same time, it will take about 2 hrs and 30 minutes to 2 hrs and 45 minutes. If baking only one of the pots, reduce the baking time by about 15 to 20 minutes. At this point the peppers will be tender and delicious.
It’s a labor of love but well worth it.
Stuffed Peppers hot out of the oven!
Serving of Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ground Beef and Rice .
Serve warm with a generous dollop of Sour Cream on top and enjoy the deliciousness!
What to serve next to Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ground Beef and Rice:
While these stuffed pepper are a meal all on its own, you may want to serve some Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes next to them.
Stuffed Bell Pepper with Ground Beef and Rice
Ingredients
- 12-14 (depending on the size) Bell Peppers (Assorted Colors)
- 3 Lbs Ground Beef (20% fat works best)
- 2 Cups Rice (I use Uncle Ben's Original Long Grain White Rice)
- 1 Cup Chopped Yellow Onions
- 3 Cups Ketchup
- 2 Tsp Salt
- 2 Tsp Onion Powder
- 1/4 Tsp Ground Black Pepper
- 1/4 Tsp Celery Salt
- 2 Cups Chicken Stock
- Sour Cream to Serve
Instructions
-
Cut across the tops of each bell pepper. Scoop out and discard the seeds and veins. Keep the tops. The tops make for a cute decoration.
-
Mix the ground beef, rice, onion, 2 cups of the ketchup, salt, onion powder, pepper, and celery salt in a bowl.
-
Stuff each bell pepper with the ground beef mixture. It’s okay if you pack the stuffing in the peppers.
-
Divide the bell peppers between two pots.
-
Mix the remaining 1 cup ketchup with the chicken stock. Pour over and around the bell peppers.
-
Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. If baking both pots at the same time, it will take about 2 hrs and 30 minutes to 2 hrs and 45 minutes. If baking only one of the pots, reduce the baking time by about 15 to 20 minutes.
-
Serve warm with a generous dollop of Sour Cream on top and enjoy the deliciousness!
Recipe Notes
This recipe produces between 12 to 14 stuffed bell peppers. If cooking for fewer people, you can cut the ingredients in half.
#StuffedBellPeppers