Description
These Costco-style stuffed bell peppers are packed with savory ground beef, rice, and melty cheese, offering a delicious and satisfying meal. With a perfect balance of flavors and textures, this easy homemade version lets you enjoy the beloved Costco dish with fresh ingredients and customizable options. Whether you’re meal prepping or serving a hearty dinner, these stuffed peppers are sure to impress!
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for a leaner option)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (drained)
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp cumin
- ½ cup tomato sauce (for extra moisture)
- 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)
- Fresh parsley (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Wash the peppers, cut off the tops, and remove the seeds and membranes. If you prefer softer peppers, blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes before stuffing.
- Cook the Filling:
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant.
- Add ground beef, breaking it apart, and cook until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, salt, pepper, paprika, and cumin. Cook for another 5 minutes until well combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each pepper generously with the meat and rice mixture. Arrange them upright in a baking dish.
- Bake the Peppers: Pour tomato sauce over the peppers, cover the dish with foil, and bake for 30 minutes.
- Melt the Cheese: Remove the foil, sprinkle shredded cheese over each pepper, and bake uncovered for another 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve and Enjoy: Let the peppers cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve hot!
Notes
- Make it vegetarian: Substitute ground meat with black beans, lentils, or quinoa.
- Add spice: Sprinkle crushed red pepper or use spicy sausage for extra heat.
- Meal prep-friendly: Stuffed peppers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed bell pepper
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 640mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
Keywords: Costco stuffed bell peppers, stuffed peppers recipe, easy stuffed bell peppers, homemade Costco peppers, baked bell peppers