How to Make the Perfect Bolognese Stuffed Peppers
Italian · Medium · 70 min · 4 servings
Tender bell peppers filled with a rich and meaty Bolognese sauce mixed with rice and topped with melted cheese. This dish combines Italian comfort food with the fun of an edible bowl.
Why this recipe works
This Bolognese Stuffed Peppers recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 70 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 510 calories with 32g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 10 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 whole large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeded
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white rice
- 1 can crushed tomatoes (14 oz)
- 1 whole yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 0.5 cup whole milk
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 2 tbsp olive oil
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Peppers
Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Lightly brush the outside with olive oil and place them upright in a baking dish.
Step 2: Cook the Bolognese Filling
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Saute onion for 4 minutes then add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 8 minutes. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Build the Sauce
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and whole milk, then stir in the Italian seasoning. Simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce thickens. Remove from heat and stir in the cooked rice.
Step 4: Stuff and Bake
Spoon the Bolognese and rice mixture generously into each prepared pepper. Top each pepper with an even layer of shredded mozzarella cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
Step 5: Broil and Rest
Switch the oven to broil and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- ground beef → ground pork or a pork and beef blend
- white rice → cooked orzo or finely chopped cauliflower rice
- whole milk → heavy cream for a richer sauce
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Do not overfill the peppers or the filling will spill out and burn on the pan
- Do not skip pre-cooking the filling as raw meat will not cook through properly inside the pepper
- Do not use undercooked rice as it will remain hard and unpleasant in the final dish
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 510 calories, 32g protein, 38g carbs, 22g fat, 5g fiber.
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