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Easy Cheesy Stuffed Bell Peppers with Rice

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A cozy and comforting recipe featuring bell peppers stuffed with a savory blend of seasoned rice and melted cheese, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or potlucks.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color, red or yellow preferred for sweetness)
  • 1 ½ cups cooked white or brown rice (about 125g uncooked)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • ½ medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup tomato sauce or marinara
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: ½ cup cooked ground beef or turkey
  • Optional: ½ cup black beans

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Cut the tops off each bell pepper and remove seeds and membranes. Trim bottom slightly if needed to stand upright.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté chopped onion for 3-4 minutes until translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. If using, add cooked ground beef or black beans and warm through.
  4. In a mixing bowl, combine cooked rice, sautéed mixture, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in shredded mozzarella and cheddar cheese until evenly mixed.
  5. Stuff each bell pepper with the filling, packing gently but not too tight. Place stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish.
  6. Cover the dish loosely with foil and bake for 30 minutes to steam the peppers.
  7. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden. Optionally broil for 2-3 minutes for extra color, watching carefully to avoid burning.
  8. Let the peppers rest for about 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.

Notes

Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting. Cover peppers while baking to steam and keep tender. Drain excess liquid halfway through baking if peppers release too much water. Slightly undercooked rice works best to avoid mushy filling. Can be made dairy-free with plant-based cheese and olive oil. Recipe is naturally gluten-free if tomato sauce is free of additives.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed bell peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, rice stuffed peppers, easy dinner, comfort food, weeknight meal, family dinner

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/easy-cheesy-stuffed-bell-peppers-with-rice-recipe-for-perfect-dinner/