Healthy Stuffed Bell Peppers (23.9G Protein)
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Hosting a dinner party can be both exciting and overwhelming, especially when you want to impress your guests with a delicious yet healthy meal.
As a mom, I often find myself juggling my love for good food with the desire to serve something wholesome and nutritious. That’s where stuffed bell peppers come in.
They’re colorful, flavorful, and packed with all the good stuff, making them the perfect dish to serve at a mom’s night in. Let me share my favorite recipe, some tips to ensure success, and ideas for rounding out the meal.
Table of Contents
Why Stuffed Bell Peppers Are a Healthy Dinner Option
Stuffed bell peppers are a fantastic way to deliver a well-rounded meal in one dish. Each pepper serves as a built-in portion container, filled with lean protein, whole grains, and vegetables. Here’s why they’re such a great choice:
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Loaded with Nutrients: Bell peppers are naturally low in calories but high in vitamins A and C, which are excellent for skin health and boosting immunity—a big win for busy moms! Pairing them with a lean protein like ground turkey or beef and whole grains like quinoa or brown rice creates a balanced meal.
Versatile Ingredients: The filling can easily be customized to suit dietary needs. Want to make them vegetarian? Swap the meat for black beans or lentils. Looking to cut carbs? Skip the grains and add riced cauliflower.
Kid-Approved: While these peppers are perfect for a mom’s night, they’re also a hit with kids. My little one loves the melted cheese on top, and I feel great knowing they’re eating a rainbow of veggies.
If you’re looking to make them even healthier, here are a few tweaks:
- Use leaner proteins: Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Add more veggies: Dice zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach into the filling for extra nutrients.
- Go easy on the cheese: Use less cheese or opt for a dairy-free alternative.
- Skip the salt: Use fresh herbs and spices to season the filling instead of relying on salt.
Tips for Perfectly Stuffed Bell Peppers
Over the years, I’ve learned a few tricks to make sure my stuffed peppers come out perfect every time. These little details make a big difference in taste and texture:
Pre-Bake the Peppers: Before adding the filling, bake the halved peppers by themselves for about 20 minutes. This softens them just enough to ensure they’re tender after cooking without being mushy.
Use Cooked Grains: If your recipe includes rice, quinoa, or another grain, cook it beforehand. This ensures that the filling is evenly cooked and not soggy.
Don’t Overfill: Pack the filling in gently but don’t overstuff the peppers. They should have enough room for the cheese to melt beautifully on top.
Cover for Even Cooking: Start by covering the dish with foil for the first 20-25 minutes of baking. This keeps everything moist and helps the peppers cook evenly. Remove the foil for the last 10 minutes to let the cheese bubble and brown.
Choose the Right Peppers: Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter and more appealing than green ones, which can be slightly bitter. Their vibrant colors also make for a stunning presentation.
What do I Serve with Stuffed Bell Peppers?
Stuffed peppers are a meal on their own, but pairing them with the right sides can elevate your dinner party. Here are some crowd-pleasing options:
Salads: A fresh green salad with a tangy vinaigrette or a classic Caesar salad complements the richness of the stuffed peppers.
Crusty Bread: Serve with buttered whole-grain or sourdough bread for guests who want to scoop up any extra filling or sauce.
Roasted Vegetables: Oven-roasted zucchini, asparagus, or carrots add another layer of flavor and texture.
Soup: Start with a light soup like tomato basil or a simple vegetable broth to warm things up.
Dips and Spreads: Hummus or baba ghanoush with pita chips make excellent appetizers to keep your guests satisfied while the main dish is baking.
My Recipe for Stuffed Bell Peppers
Here’s my go-to recipe for stuffed bell peppers that’s always a hit:
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or substitute with turkey or plant-based crumbles)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), halved and cored
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 (12-16-oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice, quinoa, or any grain
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar Jack cheese
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Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray your 9x13in glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the halved peppers in a baking dish, cut side up, sprinkle with salt if desired. Bake for 20 minutes while preparing the filling.
- In a medium size pan add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned. If the grease has cooked out of the meat add 1 T of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Mix in the tomato sauce and cooked grains. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
- Remove peppers from the oven and fill them with the meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
- Bake for another 10-15 minutes at 400°F until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Why This Recipe is Budget-Friendly
One of the best things about stuffed bell peppers is that they’re easy on the wallet while still being a showstopper at the table. Here’s a cost breakdown for this recipe:
- Bell Peppers: Typically around $1 each, totaling $4 for four large peppers.
- Ground Beef (1 lb): Around $5
- Tomato Sauce (8 oz can): Approximately $1.
- Grains (1 cup cooked): A cup of rice or quinoa costs about $0.50-$1.
- Cheese (1.5 cups): Around $2.50, depending on the type.
- Other Ingredients (onion, garlic, spices): Roughly $2.
The total comes to around $14.86 for a dish that serves 4-6 people, making it less than $4 per serving for 4 people or $2.50 for 6 people. It’s a cost-effective choice that doesn’t skimp on flavor or nutrition.
For extra savings, buy bell peppers when they’re in season, or look for deals on bulk grains and cheese. You can also use leftover rice or vegetables to cut down on waste.
Hosting a party doesn’t have to mean compromising on health. These stuffed bell peppers are sure to impress your mom friends with their vibrant appearance and satisfying flavors.
Pair them with a few simple sides, and you’ll have a meal that’s both wholesome and indulgent. Trust me, your guests will be asking for the recipe before the night is over!
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Equipment
- 1 9x13in Glass Baking Dish
Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef or substitute with turkey or plant-based crumbles
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 4 large bell peppers red, yellow, or orange, halved and cored
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ medium yellow onion finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon chili powder
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1 12-16-oz can tomato sauce
- 2 cups cooked rice quinoa, or any grain
- 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack or Cheddar Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F. Spray your 9x13in glass baking dish with cooking spray. Arrange the halved peppers in a baking dish, cut side up, sprinkle with salt if desired. Bake for 20 minutes while preparing the filling.
- In a medium size pan add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spatula, and cook until browned. If the grease has cooked out of the meat add 1 T of olive oil in the skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another minute.
- Stir in chili powder, cumin, Italian seasoning, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Mix in the tomato sauce and cooked grains. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Mix in 1 cup of the cheddar cheese.
- Remove peppers from the oven and fill them with the meat mixture. Sprinkle cheese over the top.
- Bake for another 10-15 minutes at 400°F until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Nutrition
Tried this recipe for yourself? Leave a comment and photos below!
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Nutrition Disclaimer: Our Family Cooks is not a dietitian or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories and other nutritional values can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
