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Easy Stuffed Peppers

Featured in Vibrant Vegetarian Dishes That Satisfy.

These stuffed peppers are packed with a savory mix of cooked sausage, onion, garlic, rice simmered in marinara, and chicken stock. The peppers are softened beforehand, filled, and topped with melted mozzarella. Perfectly browned under the broiler, they’re a filling dish that’s affordable, family-friendly, and easy to prepare ahead for busy nights.
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Updated on Sat, 15 Mar 2025 23:09:56 GMT
Vibrant bell peppers stuffed with seasoned meat, rice, and cheese, baked golden and bubbly. Pin it
Vibrant bell peppers stuffed with seasoned meat, rice, and cheese, baked golden and bubbly. | linacooks.com

Colorful bell peppers pack a perfect combo of homey goodness and healthy eating for your family dinner. These bright containers, loaded with a tasty mix of Italian sausage, fluffy rice, and gooey cheese, turn simple peppers into an amazing feast that'll make everyone want more. The mix of textures - from the soft pepper shell to the filling inside - makes a super satisfying meal that looks as good as it tastes.

I've cooked these stuffed peppers so many times and they always get compliments. Just last weekend, my kid who normally picks around bell peppers ate everything and wanted more. What's my trick? I cook the peppers a bit first - it takes away any sharp taste and gives them just the right feel.

Key Ingredients

  • Bell Peppers: Pick firm ones with smooth skin. Find peppers that can sit up by themselves and are roughly the same size so they'll cook evenly
  • Italian Sausage: This brings big flavor. Its fat keeps everything juicy and adds richness to each mouthful
  • Long Grain White Rice: It stays nice and light alongside the meat. Plus it soaks up all the yummy flavors from the sausage and sauce
  • Fresh Garlic and Onion: These build your flavor base. Always go with fresh instead of powder for the best taste
  • Marinara Sauce: Get a good one since it flavors the whole dish. I like ones with few ingredients and no extra sugar
  • Mozzarella Cheese: Makes that wonderful gooey topping. Fresh works great, but the pre-shredded kind is fine too
Juicy bell peppers filled with savory stuffing, a wholesome and tasty dinner option. Pin it
Juicy bell peppers filled with savory stuffing, a wholesome and tasty dinner option. | linacooks.com

Simple Cooking Steps

Get Your Peppers Ready:
First, cut the tops off your peppers and take out all seeds and white bits inside. Don't waste those tops - chop up the good parts to add to your filling. Wash the peppers with cool water, dry them off, and boil them quickly for 3 minutes. Then put them in ice water to stop them cooking more.
Make Your Filling:
Warm up a big pan over medium heat. Cook the sausage, breaking it into tiny chunks. Throw in your chopped onions and pepper tops, cooking until onions go clear. Mix in chopped garlic until you can smell it.
Mix Everything Together:
Add already-cooked rice to the pan. Pour in marinara sauce and spices. Let it bubble gently for 5 minutes so flavors can mix.
Put It All Together and Bake:
Set your partly-cooked peppers in a baking dish. Fill each pepper with lots of meat mixture, pushing down softly. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese on top. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes, then take off the foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

When I was little, my grandma always picked red bell peppers for this meal, saying they were sweeter and tastier. After making these myself for years, I've found she knew what she was talking about - red peppers do add a light sweetness that works perfectly with the savory filling.

Flavorful Seasoning Tricks

When adding spices to stuffed peppers, don't go overboard. The marinara sauce and Italian sausage already have salt, so start with just a little extra seasoning. Try it as you cook to make sure it tastes just right.

Prep Now, Cook Later

  • Fix everything up to the baking part, wrap it tight, and keep in the fridge for up to a day
  • When cooking from cold, add another 10-15 minutes to your baking time
  • The flavors get even better during this waiting time

Reinvent Your Leftovers

  • Cut up leftover stuffed peppers to put in your morning eggs
  • Chop and mix with extra sauce to pour over pasta
  • Put chopped peppers on top of a baked potato for a filling meal

Smart Cooking Advice

  • Brown your rice in the pan before cooking for extra flavor
  • Use balled-up foil in your baking dish to help wobbly peppers stand up
  • Wait 5-10 minutes after baking so the filling can set before serving

After cooking this dish for so long, I love it not just because it tastes good but because it brings folks together. Something about a stuffed pepper makes people happy - maybe it's how they look, or maybe they just feel like comfort food. Whatever it is, this meal has become one of my go-to dishes, and I bet it'll become one of yours too.

Bell peppers stuffed with tasty meat mixture and topped with melted cheese, a family favorite. Pin it
Bell peppers stuffed with tasty meat mixture and topped with melted cheese, a family favorite. | linacooks.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep these stuffed peppers early?
Absolutely! Fill them up to a day in advance, keep them in the fridge, and bake when you're ready.
→ What's the best bell pepper color?
Any color works! Green's budget-friendly, while yellow, orange, and red are sweeter options.
→ What can I swap for Italian sausage?
You can go with ground turkey, beef, or plant-based crumbles as subs.
→ Do stuffed peppers freeze well?
Yep, freeze them up to 3 months. Let them thaw overnight in the fridge before reheating.
→ What sides suit stuffed peppers?
They’re great solo, but pair nicely with a crisp salad or garlicky bread.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

Juicy bell peppers packed with savory sausage, tender rice, and tomato sauce, finished off with cheesy goodness on top.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
50 Minutes
Total Time
65 Minutes
By: Paolina

Category: Vegetarian

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 6 Servings (6 pepper halves filled and ready to eat)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Fresh Produce

01 1 yellow onion, chopped into tiny pieces
02 3 cloves of garlic, chopped finely
03 3 large bell peppers in any colors you like

→ Meat & Dairy

04 1 cup mozzarella, shredded
05 1 pound of Italian sausage

→ Pantry Items

06 1 cup of marinara sauce
07 3/4 cup chicken broth
08 1/2 cup of uncooked long white rice
09 2 tablespoons of oil for cooking, split

→ Seasonings

10 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, use part of it in steps
11 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
12 1/4 teaspoon fresh black pepper
13 1 teaspoon of mixed Italian spices

Instructions

Step 01

Heat your oven to 350°F. Slice bell peppers into two across the middle, removing stems from the tops. Grease them with a tablespoon of oil, sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, and place in a 9x13-inch casserole pan. Bake for around 20 minutes to soften them up.

Step 02

In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat and cook the sausage until browned. Toss in the onion and garlic, letting them cook until the onion looks clear and smells super fragrant.

Step 03

Throw the rice into the skillet, followed by the marinara, chicken broth, seasonings, and leftover salt. Bring it all to a boil, then drop the heat down to low. Cover, simmer for 20 minutes, and let it sit for another 5 minutes after cooking. Fluff the rice, stir it around, and it’s ready to stuff.

Step 04

Pack each pepper half generously with the meat and rice filling. Sprinkle the mozzarella over the top, cover lightly with foil, and bake for 15 minutes. Take off the foil and broil for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese gets a little golden.

Notes

  1. The filling can be made ahead and stored for stuffing later.
  2. You can use ground turkey or beef instead of sausage.
  3. Broil carefully at the end to avoid overcooking the cheese.

Tools You'll Need

  • A casserole dish measuring 9x13 inches
  • A large skillet with a lid
  • A sharp knife and sturdy cutting board
  • Aluminum foil for covering the dish

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes dairy products like mozzarella cheese
  • Check sausage labels for possible gluten content

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 454
  • Total Fat: 33 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein: 18 g