Classic Rice & Beef Stuffed Bell Peppers

"This Cooks Illustrated recipe is delicious. You can also make it with ground chicken, basil and smoked mozzarella instead of the classic beef version."
 
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photo by motheroffive photo by motheroffive
photo by motheroffive
photo by Kristy D. photo by Kristy D.
photo by Caryn Dalton photo by Caryn Dalton
Ready In:
45mins
Ingredients:
11
Serves:
4
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ingredients

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directions

  • Bring 4 quarts water to a boil in a large stockpot or Dutch oven over high heat.
  • Add 1 tablespoon salt and bell peppers.
  • Cook until peppers just begin to soften, about 3 minutes.
  • Using slotted spoon, remove peppers from pot, drain off excess water and place peppers cut side up on paper towels.
  • Return water to boil; add rice and boil until tender, about 13 minutes.
  • Drain rice and transfer to large bowl; set aside.
  • Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350°F.
  • Meanwhile, heat 12 inch heavy bottomed skillet over medium high heat until hot, about 1 1/2 minutes; add oil and swirl to coat.
  • Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes.
  • Add ground beef and cook, breaking beef into small pieces with spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes.
  • Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant about 30 seconds.
  • Transfer mixture to bowl with rice; stir in tomatoes, 1 cup cheese, parsley and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Stir together ketchup and reserved tomato juice in small bowl.
  • Place peppers cut side up in 9 inch square baking dish.
  • Using soup spoon, divide filling evenly among peppers.
  • Spoon 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture over each filled pepper and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of remaining cheese.
  • Bake until cheese is browned and filling is heated through, 25 to 30 minutes.
  • Serve immediately.

Questions & Replies

  1. I made a note on this recipe, cannot bring it up to read, any help
     
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Reviews

  1. These were very good. I used veggie ground chicken and brown rice. Will definitely make again!
     
  2. This was a very good recipe. I did add 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning to the tomato/ketchup topping. I made this in the morning, did everything but bake it, and put it in the fridge for my husband to take out and heat up for dinner. It was a hit! Thank you.
     
  3. I have made this recipe countless times over the past few years and it is the only stuffed pepper recipe my entire family likes. We have them at least once a month. Typically I follow the recipe as written, however, sometimes I get lazy and I turn them into "unstuffed" peppers by chopping the peppers into bite-sized pieces and placing them in the bottom of my baking dish. Then I layer the meat/rice mixture and tomato/ketchup sauce on top of the peppers and sprinkle with the cheese. It bakes for the same amount of time and tastes just as good, but the presentation isn't as pretty.
     
  4. I only had cheddar and added pepper jack and was still good.
     
  5. DH and I were the only ones who really enjoyed these. If I make them again I will do it on a night when it is just the two of us at home. Also, I liked the sauce and wish there was a little more of it. I think I will double it the next time. It was a great way to use up some of the bell peppers from the garden. Thanks!
     
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Tweaks

  1. I used quinua instead of rice because it's a little healthier. Everyone loved them!
     
  2. These were amazing. All I did differently was use Taco Rice instead of Long Grain, Ground Turkey instead of beef, and Sharp Cheddar for the Monterrey. SO GOOD.
     
  3. Delicious! First time I made it I used tomato sauce with Italian Seasoning instead of ketchup. The second time, I used ketchup (my grown children liked it better with the ketchup) and more cheese. This recipe rated 5 stars from me, my daughter and son-in-law.
     
  4. This is a great recipe! I am a young wife and I love to cook and I have been searching for a great recipe for Stuffed Peppers and this is definetly it! I had never made stuffed peppers on my own before and these turned out perfect the first time! I took a tip from another comment and went with tomatoe sauce instead of ketchup (I went with the kind with basil and oregano) and it was absolutely delicious. I also used freshly shredded pepper jack cheese for a little extra kick...yummy! Thanks so much for posting!
     
  5. Great recipe. I used ground turkey and added garlic salt and italian seasoning to the final mix. I also took the advice of other reviewers and used tomato sauce in place of the ketchup. Thanks... this will be enjoyed again in our home.
     

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