15 Drool-Worthy Stuffed Pepper Recipes (2024)

15 Drool-Worthy Stuffed Pepper Recipes (1)Share on Pinterest

It’s time to get stuffed. No, we’re not referring to gorging yourself — we’re talking about bell peppers. They’re super nutritious, packed with minerals, antioxidants, and vitamins C, B-6, and A.

Stuffed peppers are as versatile as they are healthy. You can really fill them with anything. Keep ’em veggie or stuff them with rice and ground turkey. And cheese — warm, melty, oozing cheese — is always welcome… unless you’re vegan. But no worries! We’ve got you covered.

We’ve gathered recipes that show how versatile the pepper is, whether you’re cooking Mexican, Greek, or Mediterranean or hankering for Buffalo chicken.

Do you know why bell peppers can be green, red, orange, or yellow? Basically, it’s a matter of ripeness. Green is sharper in flavor (and less expensive). Yellow, orange, and red are riper and have more vitamin C.

It’s easy to cook up a batch of stuffed peppers. They even taste better the next day. Say goodbye to sad desk lunches and hello to these awesome stuffed pepper recipes.

1. Vegetarian polenta pizza stuffed peppers

Hold the pizza order. Here’s a healthier way to get your favorite pizza flavors plus the bonus of creamy polenta (yum) in a baked bell pepper. Drool-worthy, right? Not to mention hearty.

2. Bell pepper pizzas

This is a super-easy toaster-oven dinner for one. Jarred tomato sauce and pre-shredded cheese are your friends here, as are red chili flakes and dried oregano. This pizza is a blank canvas just waiting for your favorite add-ons.

3. Spinach-ricotta stuffed peppers

Spinach and ricotta were made for each other. This creamy combination becomes even more tantalizing with the addition of garlic, Parmesan, tomatoes, and herbs.

Easy to make and tasty enough to eat for a few meals, this dish is the perfect item to add to your Sunday night routine.

4. Vegan stuffed bell peppers

Brown rice (got leftovers?) and lentils are the base of these vegan peppers. Place them in a casserole dish and bake them in a rich marinara sauce. Vegan cheese is the final topping.

5. Turkish fusion vegan stuffed peppers

Wild rice, kidney beans, mushrooms, corn — this recipe is loaded with veggies. Smoked paprika and herbes de Provence add interesting flavors in this dish based on the blogger’s memories of living in Turkey.

6. Italian vegan stuffed peppers

Just like Mama used to make, but without the meat and dairy. The zesty tomato sauce is flavored with garlic, basil, and oregano. But the secret ingredient is fennel seeds.

7. Mexican stuffed peppers

We could eat tacos every night of the week. Seriously. But we gotta change it up. That’s where this recipe comes in. Bell peppers are edible bowls stuffed with a filling of rice and ground turkey or beef in chili-and-cumin-spiced tomato sauce.

Oh, and these containers of goodness are topped with cheddar and baked until it’s all warm and melty.

If you’re looking to cut the carbs, try cauliflower rice.

8. Greek-style stuffed peppers

Artichoke, tomato, lemon, dill, and quinoa create a light filling. The recipe calls for topping these peppers with mozzarella, though we like to use feta for more of a Greek theme. This blogger pairs the dish with tzatziki, and we do too.

9. Stuffed peppers with quinoa, courgette, and feta

Never heard of courgette? Don’t worry — you won’t have to search the supermarket. It’s another name for zucchini.

Quinoa makes a light-textured yet protein-rich base for these Mediterranean-inspired stuffed peppers. Feta adds more protein, richness, and appealing saltiness.

What puts this dish over the top? Fresh mint brightens the flavors.

10. Spicy Southwest Whole30 stuffed peppers

Crushed pine nuts act as the creamy topping in this Whole30 recipe. Though the recipe calls for ground turkey and spinach, any combination of protein and leafy greens will do. (We personally love sausage and kale.)

Feel free to be adventurous with the veggies as well, adding chopped broccolini, onion, or even eggplant.

11. Spiralized zucchini, quinoa, and turkey sausage stuffed peppers

How fun is this? A zoodle-filled pepper. Cooked with turkey sausage, quinoa, and tomato sauce, the thin spirals add a delicate crunch. Skip the cheese garnish to make the recipe dairy-free.

12. Cheesy Buffalo chicken and veggie stuffed peppers

Transform leftover chicken into a crowd-pleasing healthier alternative to Buffalo wings. Layer chopped chicken into the peppers; spice it up with pepper jack cheese, jalapeño, and hot sauce; and bake.

Before serving, sprinkle with green onions and drizzle with blue cheese dressing. That’s the icing on the cake.

13. Lasagna stuffed peppers

You won’t miss the pasta in the cheesy layers of sauce, ricotta, mozzarella and Parm in these low-carb and grain-free stuffed peppers. The recipe calls for pork, but we love using turkey or chicken or even substituting mushrooms to make it vegetarian.

Top with Parmesan a few minutes before the peppers are finished to get a beautifully browned top.

14. Classic ground beef stuffed peppers

These peppers stuffed with ground beef, mushrooms, corn, and white rice are super hearty. The recipe calls for fontina, a cheese that melts beautifully, but if you have Monterey Jack in the fridge, that’ll work great too.

15. Breakfast stuffed peppers

Baking eggs, ham, spinach, and cheese inside a pepper? We’re in. This is a fun breakfast for a crowd if you’re thinking outside the frittata. It takes about an hour from start to finish, so make sure you linger over it with your favorite coffee.

15 Drool-Worthy Stuffed Pepper Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Should I cover my stuffed peppers when I bake them? ›

Loosely place some tented aluminum foil over the top of the casserole dish and bake for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes the bell peppers should be tender but not mushy. Now remove the foil and turn the heat on to broil. Broil the stuffed bell peppers for 2-3 minutes or just until the cheese gets a little brown on top.

When eating stuffed peppers do you eat the pepper? ›

Do you eat the pepper when you make stuffed peppers? Yes, you eat the pepper along with the stuffing.

Do you have to boil peppers before stuffing them? ›

You don't need to cook the peppers before stuffing them. Budget-Friendly. Stuffed peppers turn humble, affordable ingredients like rice and ground beef into a well-rounded meal (don't miss these other Ground Beef Dinner Ideas for more wallet-friendly meals).

How do you make stuffed peppers not watery? ›

No Moisture In, No Moisture Out

Let's say your filling calls for tomato sauce. Rather than spooning it directly into your hollowed peppers, reduce it on the stove until it's thick. Likewise, brown your meat first to allow it to release some of its moisture and fat before going into the pepper.

Why do stuffed peppers take so long to cook? ›

For Uncooked Fillings in Whole Peppers:

It's possible to stuff peppers with a raw filling. If you're stuffing a whole pepper, it takes awhile to cook because the filling needs to reach a safe temperature. Out of all the stuffed peppers, this one takes the longest to cook because of its size.

Which color bell pepper is the healthiest? ›

You've seen bell peppers -- green, orange, yellow, and red -- in the grocery store or in a salad bar. Red peppers pack the most nutrition, because they've been on the vine longest.

What is a fancy name for stuffed peppers? ›

The chile relleno, literally "stuffed pepper", consists of a roasted and peeled/skinned green pasilla or poblano pepper stuffed with cheese (traditionally queso fresco) and, occasionally, minced meat, covered in an egg batter, and fried.

Why are stuffed peppers bland? ›

The thing about most stuffed bell pepper recipes is 3that they call for salt in the filling, not for the peppers themselves. Without salt, the peppers are flabby and bland, merely a filling case. With a sprinkle of salt, they transform into a sweet and powerfully savory part of the dish.

When not to use peppers? ›

The first sign of rotten or decaying bell peppers is brown, wrinkly spots on the skin. Peppers that are going bad (or that could be past their prime entirely) may also start to smell or show visible signs of mold.

Why are stuffed peppers good for you? ›

Along with taste, the insoluble fiber found in peppers and spinach is beneficial for keeping your digestive tract healthy, while the brown rice can help control blood cholesterol levels. Another bonus: Spinach is high in calcium – a half cup provides 122 milligrams of calcium!

What part of the body are peppers good for? ›

The bottom line. Bell peppers are rich in many vitamins and antioxidants, especially vitamin C and various carotenoids. For this reason, they may have several health benefits, such as improved eye health and reduced risk of several chronic diseases. All in all, bell peppers are an excellent addition to a healthy diet.

How do you're cook stuffed peppers? ›

Oven reheating: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the frozen stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 60-75 minutes or until heated through. For a crispy topping, remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking and top with cheese.

Why do my stuffed peppers taste bland? ›

The thing about most stuffed bell pepper recipes is 3that they call for salt in the filling, not for the peppers themselves. Without salt, the peppers are flabby and bland, merely a filling case. With a sprinkle of salt, they transform into a sweet and powerfully savory part of the dish.

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