Pizza Stuffed Bell Peppers (Printer-Friendly Version)
Juicy bell peppers filled with savory beef, marinara, and melty cheese for a fun, family favorite dinner.
# Required Ingredients:
→ Base Ingredients
01 -
4 large bell peppers (any color), tops sliced off, seeds and core removed
02 -
15 ml olive oil
03 -
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
04 -
400 g lean ground beef
05 -
60 g mini pepperoni slices, plus extra for garnish
→ Seasoning
06 -
3 g seasoned salt
07 -
1 g onion powder
08 -
1 g garlic powder
09 -
1 g Italian seasoning
→ Filling and Topping
10 -
180 ml marinara sauce
11 -
80 g minute rice (uncooked)
12 -
120 ml beef broth
13 -
120 g shredded mozzarella cheese, plus more for topping
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 175°C. Slice the tops off the bell peppers, remove seeds and core, and reserve any usable pepper from tops for dicing.
02 -
Place hollowed peppers in a large pot of boiling water for 5-6 minutes until slightly tender. Remove and set aside.
03 -
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and diced pepper from tops for 3-4 minutes until soft. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
04 -
Season the beef mixture with seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Stir in mini pepperoni slices.
05 -
Add marinara sauce, minute rice, and beef broth to the skillet. Stir thoroughly and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 5-7 minutes.
06 -
Arrange softened peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, then top evenly with mozzarella cheese and additional mini pepperoni.
07 -
Bake on the lower oven rack at 175°C for 15-20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and peppers are fully tender.
08 -
Allow to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy straight from the dish or alongside a fresh salad.
# Handy Cooking Tips:
01 -
For a colorful and flavorful serving, use a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers.
02 -
To avoid soggy peppers, drain any excess liquid from the filling and do not overboil the peppers during pre-cooking.
03 -
Customize with additional pizza toppings such as sliced olives, mushrooms, or jalapeños based on preference.
04 -
For a vegetarian option, substitute ground beef with finely chopped mushrooms or cooked lentils.