Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Sometimes, it can be difficult to find an easy recipe that’s affordable, healthy, and filling. If you want a delicious dish that’s a good source of nutrients and isn’t complicated to make, here’s a great recipe for you.

Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers are a treat for the senses and the stomach. Made with well-seasoned meat mixed with nutritious brown rice, cheese, and flavorful fresh herbs, this healthy stuffed peppers recipe makes for a lovely meal any time of the day.

Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe Ingredients

Bell peppers are packed with vitamin C, fiber, and other great nutrients. With good protein and healthy brown rice as stuffing, you have a meal that’s absolutely satisfying. Best of all, it’s gluten-free.

• 2 cups cooked brown rice
• 6 medium red, yellow, or orange bell peppers
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 can (14 oz.) diced cherry tomatoes
• 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1/4 cup marinara or tomato sauce
• 1 cup chicken broth or vegetable stock, divided in half
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/4 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• Fresh parsley for garnish

How to Make Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers

Course: Main Course

Cooking Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut off the top ⅓ inch of each pepper, then remove the stem and discard the seeds. If needed, cut a small amount of the bottom of each pepper so that they sit flat. 
3. Season the insides of each pepper evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
4. Bring a large pot of water to boil. Then, add a little salt to the boiling water and completely submerge the peppers. 
5. Cook peppers for about 2 minutes, then remove and allow to cool. 
6. Once cooled, place the peppers inside an 8-inch baking dish and set aside.
7. Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil and heat for another minute.
8. Sauté onion until it softens, then stir in garlic and cook for about 1 minute more.
9. Add the ground meat and use the back of a wooden spoon to break apart the meat into small pieces. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Cook, stirring occasionally until the meat is no longer pink and cooked through, or about 5 minutes.
11. Add cooked rice, diced tomatoes, parmesan cheese, basil leaves, and dried oregano to the meat mixture. Stir to combine.
12. Add tomato sauce and 1/2 broth. Reduce heat to medium-low until slightly reduced or all water is absorbed.
13. Divide the mixture and spoon them into each prepared bell pepper.
14. Add 1/2 cup of liquid to the bottom of the baking dish. 
15. Bake the stuffed bell peppers for 30 minutes, uncovered.
16. Remove from the oven and sprinkle peppers with mozzarella cheese. Bake for an additional 10 to 15 minutes until the cheese on top starts bubbling or browning.
17. Remove the stuffed bell peppers from the oven.
18. Serve.

Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers Recipe Tips

• While this recipe uses ground beef, you may also stuff peppers with ground chicken, ground turkey, or any other ground meat that you prefer.
• Brown rice is used for this dish but you can use other types of rice as well.
• For an even healthier version, you can use cauliflower rice.
• This recipe requires you to bake the stuffed bell peppers but if you don’t have an oven to bake them in, you may also use an Instant Pot to cook them. 
• To turn this recipe into a vegetarian dish, you can substitute the beef mixture with ground tofu or plant-based meat. Replace the cheese with vegan cheese as well.
• You can also use green bell peppers if you like.
• You may also cut the bell peppers half lengthwise (through the stem) and then remove the seeds as well as any white parts. Try to keep the stem of the pepper intact to keep the stuffing from falling out.
• If you don’t have garlic cloves, you can also use garlic powder.
• You can reduce or increase the amount of salt and pepper according to your taste.
• Diced tomatoes and tomato paste make this dish extra rich but if you want to reduce the tomato taste, you can lessen the amount.
• Seasoning the stuffing mixture with dried oregano and basil gives the stuffed peppers subtle Italian flavors.

Final Note

Brown Rice Stuffed Peppers are a great way to consume vegetables and increase your nutritional intake. You can even make this ahead and save it for future meals. 

If you know someone who doesn’t love stuffed peppers, we guarantee that this delicious dish will change their mind! Cook this Brown Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe today and see for yourself.

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