Description
These BEST Ever Easy Stuffed Peppers are a delicious and simple dish made with tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground Italian sausage, Spanish style rice, fire roasted tomatoes, and melted Mexican blend cheese. Ready in just 30 minutes, this recipe is perfect for a hearty weeknight dinner with comforting flavors and minimal ingredients.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 8 bell peppers (tops cut off and seeds and membranes removed)
- 1 pound mild or spicy ground Italian sausage
- 3 cups cooked Spanish style rice (or white rice)
- 1 ½ cups water
- 1 15-ounce can fire roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- Cilantro or green onions for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat and prep peppers: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a large baking dish and arrange the cleaned bell peppers standing upright. If they tend to tip over, trim about 1/8 inch off the bottoms to flatten them. Bake the peppers for 10-15 minutes until they begin to soften.
- Cook sausage: While peppers bake, heat a large pan over medium-high heat. Cook the ground Italian sausage for 5-6 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until it is well browned. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cooked sausage to a platter, cover to keep warm, and set aside.
- Cook rice and tomatoes: In the same pan, add the cooked rice, water, and fire roasted diced tomatoes. Stir well, bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing flavors to meld and the mixture to thicken.
- Combine filling and stuff peppers: Stir the reserved sausage and ½ cup of the shredded cheese into the rice mixture. Spoon this filling evenly into the pre-baked bell peppers. Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining ½ cup of cheese.
- Bake until cheese melts and serve: Return the stuffed peppers to the oven and bake for 5 minutes or until the cheese on top is melted and bubbly. Garnish with chopped green onions or cilantro if desired, and serve immediately.
Notes
- For alternative protein options, substitute ground Italian sausage with ground turkey, beef, or a plant-based sausage.
- If you do not have Spanish style rice, plain white rice can be used instead.
- To help peppers stand upright during baking, trimming a small slice off the bottom is effective.
- Green onions or cilantro add a fresh flavor when used as toppings but are optional.