Stuffed Bell Pepper Recipes

Low-Calorie Stuffed Peppers

I love stuff peppers and, stuffed with red meat and rice, always though of them as a comfort food. However, after doing some research, find them to be a low-calorie recipe as well as a family favorite.

I was first introduced to stuffed peppers from my mother who used to buy them from Costco. But one day, I had some peppers left over from another meal and started to look up stuffed pepper recipes and realized how easy it could be.

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Stuffed Peppers from Downshiftolgy

This was the first stuffed peppers recipe I tried because it was the first to come up in my google search for “Best Stuffed Peppers”. Also, all the stuffed peppers I have had in the past did not have cheese. The addition of cheese was fantastic.

• 6 bell peppers, cut in half lengthwise and seeds removed
• 3 tablespoon olive oil (separated)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes drained
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 2 cups baby spinach, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup Monterey Jack cheese
• chopped parsley, for garnishing

How Many Calories Are in Stuffed Peppers?

There are 328 calories in this recipe.

Note: I used 8 pepper halves when I made this recipe and still had filling leftover. The leftover filling was delicious on it’s own, but I also used it to mix in with a salad.

The author above also came up with these amazing recipes I am excited to try. (more information in link above)

• Mediterranean Peppers: Ground beef, chickpeas, onion, rice, tomato sauce, feta, garlic powder and paprika.
• Vegan Mushroom and Walnut Peppers: Diced mushrooms, walnuts, garlic, onion, rice, and taco seasoning.
• Vegetarian Tex-Mex Peppers: Black beans, corn, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, rice, taco seasoning, pepper jack cheese, and chopped cilantro.
• Keto Stuffed Peppers: Mushrooms or diced zucchini
• Paleo and Whole30 Stuffed Peppers: Use Cauliflower Rice or Broccoli Rice and no cheese or cashew sour cream. Read “How To Make Cashew Cream” from Downshiftology.

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Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe from Healthy Fitness Meals

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp Extra-virgin Olive Oil
• 1 Medium Onion diced
• 2-3 Garlic Cloves minced
• 1 lb Lean Ground Beef
• 1½ Cup Cooked Brown Rice
• 1 14.5 oz Can Diced Tomatoes
• 1 Tbsp Tomato Paste
• 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
• 1 Tbsp Smoked Paprika
• Kosher salt and pepper, to taste
• 7 Large Bell Peppers top and core removed
• 1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
• Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish

262 Calories per serving

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Turkey Stuffed Peppers from Skinny Tastes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 lb 93% lean ground turkey
• 1 garlic, minced
• 1/4 onion, minced
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp kosher salt
• 3 large sweet red bell peppers, washed
• 1 cup reduced sodium chicken broth, divided
• 1/4 cup tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
• Olive oil spray
• 6 tbsp  part skim shredded cheddar cheese*

221 Calories Per Serving

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Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers from Cookie and Kate

INGREDIENTS

Roasted peppers

• 4 large red bell peppers, halved from stem to base, seeds and membranes removed
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, as needed
• Fine salt and freshly ground black pepper, for sprinkling

Filling and topping

• ½ cup long-grain brown rice (or 1 ½ cups cooked rice)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, chopped
• ½ teaspoon fine salt, to taste
• 1 pint (2 cups) cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered if large
• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 4 cloves garlic, pressed or minced
• 1 ½ teaspoons chili powder 
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 
• 1 can (1 ½ cups) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon lime juice 
• 4 ounces (about 1 cup) grated part-skim mozzarella or cheddar 
• Optional garnishes: Sliced ripe avocado or guacamole, perhaps a drizzle of cilantro-hemp pesto, red salsa, sour cream or vegan sour cream 

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Easy Stuffed Peppers from Spend With Pennies

• 6 bell peppers
• ½ pound lean ground beef
• ½ pound Italian sausage
• 1 small onion diced
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can small diced tomatoes 14 ½ ounces
• ½ cup white rice uncooked
• 1 ¼ cup water
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 2 ½ cups marinara sauce divided
• ½ cup cheddar cheese shredded

Author recommends the salads or crusty bread for sides. And, has links to the recommended recipes in the link above

• Caesar Salad
• Easy Italian Salad
• Fresh Tomato Salad
• Garlic toast
• Homemade French Bread
• Cheesy Garlic Breadsticks

385 Calories

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The BEST Stuffed Peppers from Well Plated By Erin

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers any mix of colors you like; red is our favorite
• 1 pound lean ground beef or swap for ground turkey or ground chicken
• 1 small yellow onion diced
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 2 cups roughly torn fresh spinach
• 1 15-ounce can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
• 1 cup cooked brown rice or farro, quinoa, cauliflower rice, or orzo (if using orzo, undercook it slightly)
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded pepper jack cheese or additional cheddar
• For serving: chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

201 calories per serving

In addition to this recipe, this author makes a variety of stuffed pepper options, which are listed in the link above. They all sound amazing.

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How To Make Stuffed Peppers

Making stuffed pepper was easy. A perfect mid-week meal for my family, Follow any of the recipes listed in the links above for more information on how to make stuffed peppers.

Can I Freeze Stuffed Peppers?

Yes. I learned from the blog FoodsGuy that you should let your stuffed peppers cool in the refrigerator for at least 3 to four hours and then you should be able to freeze them for up to 6 months. Read more at “How To Reheat Stuffed Peppers“

Can I Reheat Stuffed Peppers?

Yes. In the same article above, I also learned you can reheat stuffed peppers. Foodsguy recommended the following:

1. If the recipe has cheese, leave the cheese off the peppers and add when you reheat.
2. You can store stuffed peppers in the refrigerator for up to four days.
3. Do not reheat more than once.
4. Stuffed peppers with rice should be consumed within 24 hours.

Read the article above for more information.

What Are The Health Benefits Of Bell Peppers?

I learned from the artic;e “Top 5 health benefits of peppers” from BBC Good Food that bell peppers consists of nutrients such as fider, potassium, folate and vitamin c. And, may help with the following:

1. Sight
2. Anemia
3. Chronic Diseases
4. Memory Loss and
5. Lowering Blood Sugar

What Are The Health Benefits Of Ground Beef?

I read the article 7 Healthy Benefits of Eating Beef from Five Star Home Food and learned beef has the following health benefits:

1. High in protein
2. Rich in minerals
3. Prevents anemia
4. Contains carnosine
5. Full of vitamins
6. Contains creatine

What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers?

My husband and I had ceasar salad and roasted brussel sprouts and I think you can just make your family favorites. However, I read “What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers? (15 Best Side Dishes)” from Izzy Cooking and loved this author’s suggestions listed below. Read the article for more information and recipes to the side dishes below.

• Corn on the Cob
• Sweet Potato Fries
• Fried Cauliflower
• Green Beans
• Italian Sausage
• Garlic Spinach
• Roasted Zucchini
• Parmesan Yellow Squash
• Red Cabbage Slaw
• Glazed Carrots
• Artichokes
• Arugula Salad with Feta Cheese
• Cucumber and Avocado Salad
• Ratatouille
• Fresh Tomato Salad

Not only are there a variety of sides to serve with stuffed peppers, there are also many variations to the ingredients. I tried to list a wide selection of recipes above and hope you and your family enjoy.

How Do I Cut The Red Pepper

I learned from Downshiftology (linked in first recipe above), to cut the pepper lengthwise because it makes them easier to store, eliminates any waste and they are less likely to topple over.

What I Love About Stuffed Peppers

1. They are colorful and festive
2. Stuffed peppers are an excellent way to sneak spinach into my kids dinner
3. They are healthy and filling
4. Stuffed peppers are versatile. There are so many different ways to make them
5. I can make them ahead of time and store them in the freezer.
6. Stuffed peppers look fancy, but are easy to make