Description
Easy stuffed peppers with a savory ground beef filling, baked in a tangy tomato sauce. A comforting and flavorful meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 6–8 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
- 600g ground beef
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
- 2 carrots, diced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 50g grated Parmesan or feta cheese (optional)
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoon flour
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 cup water or broth
- 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Keep the tops to use as lids.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, sauté the diced onion and carrots until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 8-10 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
- Stir in the chopped parsley, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. If using cheese, mix it in now.
- Stuff each prepared bell pepper with the meat mixture, pressing lightly to pack.
- Prepare the sauce: Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour to form a roux.
- Stir in 1 teaspoon of paprika, then gradually whisk in the tomato sauce and water or broth.
- Add sugar if using, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for a few minutes until the sauce is smooth.
- Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Pour the sauce over and around the peppers, ensuring they are mostly covered.
- Cover the baking dish tightly with foil or a lid.
- Bake for 45-55 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the peppers are tender.
- For a lightly browned top, remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of baking.
- Serve the stuffed peppers hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. They pair well with mashed potatoes, sour cream, or crusty bread.
Notes
- For a heartier meal, consider adding cooked rice or quinoa to the meat filling.
- Ensure peppers are tender but still hold their shape.
- Don’t overfill the peppers to allow space for the sauce.
- Adjust seasonings to your preference.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: Approximately 350-450 kcal (varies with ingredients)
- Sugar: Approximately 8-12g
- Sodium: Approximately 500-700mg
- Fat: Approximately 20-30g
- Saturated Fat: Approximately 7-10g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approximately 13-20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: Approximately 15-25g (without rice)
- Fiber: Approximately 3-5g
- Protein: Approximately 20-25g
- Cholesterol: Approximately 70-90mg