Description
A quick, protein-packed weeknight dinner featuring bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef, marinara sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese. Ready in under 45 minutes with just five core ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450g) 80/20 ground beef
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup (240ml) marinara or pasta sauce
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (optional but recommended)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Wash bell peppers and slice off the top 1/2 inch. Remove seeds and white membranes. If peppers wobble, slice a thin layer off the bottom to create a flat base. Place upright in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles. Cook for 5-6 minutes until no longer pink.
- Add minced fresh garlic (if using), garlic powder, and Italian seasoning to the beef. Cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant. Drain excess grease if desired, but leave about a tablespoon for flavor.
- Remove skillet from heat. Stir in marinara sauce and 1 cup of shredded mozzarella. Mix well until the beef is coated and moist.
- Divide the beef mixture evenly among the four peppers, pressing down gently to pack it tight.
- Top each pepper with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Check for tenderness by piercing with a fork. If firm, bake for another 5-10 minutes.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow filling to set.
Notes
For crispy cheese, broil on high for the last 2 minutes of baking. To prevent peppers from falling over, cut a thin slice off the bottom. This recipe freezes well before baking; assemble raw, cover tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months. Do not freeze cooked peppers as they may become mushy.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper wit
- Calories: 420
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 32
Keywords: ground beef stuffed peppers, mozzarella cheese, easy weeknight dinner, high protein meal, 5-ingredient recipe, baked peppers, family friendly dinner