Looking for a delicious and easy meal? Grilled stuffed bell peppers are just what you need. Filled with flavorful ground beef and topped with melted cheese, they make a great dish for any day. Plus, you can mix in your favorite ingredients to grill stuffed peppers just the way you like.
I love these grilled stuffed bell peppers because they bring a little something special to the table. These peppers are easy to prepare in advance and even easier to reheat, making them perfect for a weeknight dinner or lunch.
Making this Recipe with Ground Beef
Ground beef adds a rich and hearty flavor to the filling of these peppers, making them fully protein-packed. If you’re looking for a leaner option, feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken.
The ground meat combines well with diced vegetables, herbs, and spices, creating a tasty filling that pairs perfectly with the sweetness of the bell peppers. You can also mix in cooked rice, especially brown rice if you want to choose.
Best Type of Peppers to Use for Grilled Peppers
When grilling stuffed peppers, it’s best to go for firm, fresh bell peppers. Red bell pepper, yellow, and orange bell peppers are naturally sweeter, while green peppers offer a more earthy flavor.
Choose peppers that are large and have a flat bottom so they stand up well on the grill without tipping over. This way, they’ll hold all that delicious filling and make for a beautiful presentation.
Kitchen Gadgets:
- Oven: The oven lets them bake evenly, helping the flavors meld and allowing the cheese topping to melt and bubble to golden perfection.
- Cooking Pot: A cooking pot is useful for preparing the filling. Use it to cook the ground beef, bacon, and veggies together, allowing all the flavors to blend nicely before stuffing them into the peppers.
- Bowl: This makes it easy to combine ingredients and adjust the flavors if needed.
- Spoon: A sturdy spoon is essential for scooping the filling into the peppers. This tool helps you evenly distribute the mixture, making sure every pepper is packed with the savory goodness of the filling.
- Baking Dish or Skillet: The baking dish is where the stuffed peppers go for their final cooking step. Arrange the stuffed peppers snugly in the dish, so they stay upright, and then bake them until they’re perfectly tender and topped with bubbly, melted cheese.
Ingredients:
- Bell Peppers: Choose a mix of colors for a bright presentation. Red, yellow, and orange are naturally sweet, while green is more earthy.
- Ground Beef: I use lean ground beef, but feel free to substitute with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
- Tomato Sauce: Adds a rich, tangy base for the filling. Look for a sauce with no added sugar to keep it clean.
- Heavy Cream: This adds a little richness to the sauce. For a dairy-free option, you could use coconut cream.
- Diced Bacon: Adds a smoky depth to the filling. If you prefer, you can leave this out for a lighter version.
- Diced Celery, Onion, and Garlic: These add flavor and texture to the filling. Fresh ingredients are best but dried can work in a pinch.
- Fresh Oregano: Gives an earthy, herbaceous flavor. Dried oregano also works if you don’t have fresh.
- Cheese: Melty cheese on top makes this dish irresistible! Mozzarella or cheddar works great, but feel free to use your favorite.
*Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below.
FULL INSTRUCTIONS WITH STEPS FOR GRILLED STUFFED PEPPER RECIPE
First Step: Prepare All Needed Ingredients
Start by gathering and prepping everything. Wash and cut the tops off the bell peppers, then remove pepper halves and any seeds inside. Dice the onion, celery, and garlic.
Cook the ground beef and bacon in a pot with the diced veggies until everything is nicely browned; don’t forget the seasoning. Add tomato sauce, cream, and fresh herbs, stirring to blend all the flavors together.
Second Step: Fill Bell Peppers with the Meat Mixture
Once your filling is cooked and well-mixed, spoon it into each hollowed-out bell pepper. Make sure to stuff the peppers and pack the mixture in tightly to get a good, hearty portion in each pepper.
Third Step: Add Cheese Toppings and Cook
Top each stuffed pepper with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Then, place the peppers in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. This final baking step also ensures the peppers are tender and packed with flavor. Make sure the oven is set to medium heat.
TRICKS AND TIPS:
- Choose Firm Bell Peppers: Peppers that are firm and heavy for their size hold up better to stuffing and grilling.
- Don’t Overfill: Leave a little room at the top for the cheese and any sauce that may bubble up.
- Use Foil for Grilling: If you’re grilling these directly, use foil under the peppers to prevent any filling from spilling out onto the grill.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What to Serve With Grilled Stuffed Bell Peppers?
Grilled stuffed bell peppers pair wonderfully with a few simple sides that complement their flavors. A fresh broccoli sprouts with a light vinaigrette adds a refreshing crunch and balances out the richness of the stuffed peppers.
A piece of crusty bread is always a good choice to enjoy with stuffed peppers, giving you something to dip into any leftover sauce. For a complete meal, pair it with some chicken wings or chicken lettuce cups.
To store grilled stuffed bell peppers, let them cool completely first. Once cooled, you can keep them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. This way, they stay fresh and easy to reheat whenever you’re ready to enjoy them again.
Can I Freeze Grilled Stuffed Bell Peppers?
These stuffed peppers freeze beautifully, making them perfect for meal prep. After they’ve cooled, wrap each one tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and warm them up in the oven until heated through.
More Clean Eating Favorite Recipes
Other clean-eating recipes are available for you to try. Let’s start with our chicken enchilada recipe that features tender chicken wrapped in soft tortillas and smothered in homemade enchilada sauce.
Crack chicken is a dish that is rich and creamy. Don’t miss out on the best chicken stir-fry recipe with lean chicken breast, vibrant veggies, and a savory stir-fry sauce.
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Grilled Stuffed Bell Peppers
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Minced Beef
- 1/2 Cup Diced Bacon
- 1/2 Cup Diced Fresh Celery
- 1 piece Onion
- 2 piece Garlic Cloves
- 1/3 Cup Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
- 1 Tablespoon Oregano
- 3 Pieces Bell Peppers
Video
Instructions
- Start by gathering and prepping everything. Wash and cut the tops off the bell peppers, then remove pepper halves and any seeds inside. Dice the onion, celery, and garlic. Cook the ground beef and bacon in a pot with the diced veggies until everything is nicely browned, don't forget the seasoning. Add tomato sauce, cream, and fresh herbs, stirring to blend all the flavors together.
- Once your filling is cooked and well-mixed, spoon it into each hollowed-out bell pepper. Make sure to stuff the peppers and pack the mixture in tightly to get a good, hearty portion in each pepper.
- Top each stuffed pepper with a sprinkle of shredded cheese. Then, place the peppers in a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until the cheese melts and turns golden brown. This final baking step also ensures the peppers are tender and packed with flavor. Make sure the oven is set to medium heat.
Notes
- Choose Firm Bell Peppers: Peppers that are firm and heavy for their size hold up better to stuffing and grilling.
- Don’t Overfill: Leave a little room at the top for the cheese and any sauce that may bubble up.
- Use Foil for Grilling: If you’re grilling these directly, use foil under the peppers to prevent any filling from spilling out onto the grill.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that nutrient values are estimates only. Variations can occur due to product availability and manner of food preparation. Nutrition may vary based on methods of origin, preparation, freshness of ingredients, and other factors.
Best Seasonings to taste
The right seasonings can transform any dish, adding depth and flavor without extra effort. Keep a few staples on hand to improve your meals with ease, just like these stuffed bell peppers.
