18 Hearty and Satisfying Stuffed Pepper Recipes

The fillings are limited only by your imagination

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
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Updated on 01/26/23
Stuffed Green Peppers With Ground Beef

The Spruce 

Stuffed peppers have long been one of America's favorite comfort foods. While the typical stuffing includes ground beef and rice, home cooks have developed many creative versions over the years. 

The fillings for stuffed peppers are limited only by the cook's imagination. The filling might be a simple rice and vegetable mixture, or it could include poultry, fish, shellfish, or pork. Bell peppers are the conventional choice, but jalapenos, mini sweet peppers, or poblanos are all excellent alternatives. Or convert a recipe to appetizer portions. Instead of standard bell peppers, use colorful mini bell peppers with the meat or vegetable filling of your choice.

Stuffed peppers usually include starch, vegetables, and protein, so what to serve with them? Roasted potatoes are a good choice, or one or two vegetable sides, like roasted Brussels sprouts, steamed green beans, butternut squash, and sweet potatoes. Or add a tossed salad for a simple, yet satisfying lunch or dinner.

Here are some of our best recipes for stuffed peppers, including vegan and vegetarian options, along with an unstuffed pepper casserole that the family will ask for again and again.

  • 01 of 18

    Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef and Rice

    Stuffed Peppers

    The Spruce

    This baked dish is the classic recipe that you probably remember from childhood. Ground beef, tomatoes, cooked rice, and a variety of seasonings make up the delicious filling.

  • 02 of 18

    Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

    Stuffed Green Peppers With Ground Beef

    The Spruce 

    A jar of marinara sauce adds flavor and makes preparation a breeze in this slow cooker version. The filling contains ground beef—or turkey if you want a leaner option—along with some rice and seasonings.

  • 03 of 18

    Steak and Cheese Stuffed Peppers

    Steak and Cheese Stuffed Peppers
    Diana Rattray

    Looking to lose weight, but not flavor? Reduce the number of onions in the recipe if you are following a low-carb or ketogenic diet. A large green bell pepper only contains about 5 net carbs.

  • 04 of 18

    Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

    stuffed peppers with chicken and rice

     Steve Brown Photography / Getty Images

    These tasty stuffed peppers, paired with a hot chicken and rice salad mixture, is a great option for those looking to steer clear of the traditional beef. A curry mayonnaise mixture brings the ingredients together in a potent, spicier combination.

    Continue to 5 of 18 below.
  • 05 of 18

    Unstuffed Peppers Casserole

    Unstuffed Peppers
    Diana Rattray

    When in doubt, turn it into a casserole. We've all cut something the wrong way, diced when we were supposed to do strips, ultimately ruling out the bowl shape we were going to load up. Should that happen here, this streamlined recipe includes the same classic ingredients and flavors in a delicious cheese-topped casserole. Serve the one-dish meal with a side salad and biscuits or French bread.

  • 06 of 18

    Stuffed Mini Peppers

    Stuffed Mini Peppers

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Rattray

    Large peppers are not the only option for stuffing. This stuffed mini pepper recipe creates a colorful, easy, and irresistible appetizer you'll want to make all the time. The filling is a combination of dry ranch dressing mix, cream cheese, and mayonnaise. Chopped broccoli, carrot, and more pepper give it extra crunch, and they're finished with melted cheddar cheese. These can also be served as a side dish or snack.

  • 07 of 18

    Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

    Serve the stuffed peppers.
    Diana Rattray

    If you are looking for a familiar stuffed pepper recipe but don't have the hour and a half to cook it, this Instant Pot version is your savior. In only ten minutes of cooking time, you will have tender bell pepper shells filled with a mixture of ground meat, rice, tomato, cheese, and plenty of seasonings with a melty mozzarella topping.

  • 08 of 18

    Vegetarian Rice and Cheddar Stuffed Peppers

    Peppers stuffed with rice and vegetables
    Joff Lee / Getty Images

    Cheddar cheese provides the protein in these tasty vegetarian stuffed peppers. Add some black beans, corn, and diced tomatoes for extra heft and Tex-Mex flavor.

    Continue to 9 of 18 below.
  • 09 of 18

    Stuffed Peppers With Cheesy Ham and Rice Filling

    rice, ham, and cheese stuffed peppers

     Diana Rattray

    These stovetop ham and cheese stuffed peppers make a tasty lunch or dinner dish, and they are super easy to fix up. If you prefer baked stuffed peppers, transfer them to the oven and top with extra cheese or buttered breadcrumbs.

  • 10 of 18

    Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

    quinoa stuffed peppers
    Picture Pantry/Getty Images

    Quinoa and lean ground sirloin make the filling for this variation lighter than most. Chopped carrots, onions, tomatoes, and Parmesan cheese add both color and flavor.

  • 11 of 18

    Jalapeño Poppers

    Jalapeno poppers

    The Spruce

     

    Jalapeño peppers are a departure from main dish stuffed peppers, but they deserve a shout-out. Fry a batch up for a party or game day gathering.

  • 12 of 18

    Stuffed Peppers with Tuna

    stuffed peppers with tuna
    Bruce McIntosh/E+/Getty Images

    The breadcrumb and tuna filling makes these stuffed peppers a great choice if you're seeking variety. Add a salad or cup of soup for an excellent lunch or light dinner.

    Continue to 13 of 18 below.
  • 13 of 18

    Baked Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef and Corn

    Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef and Corn
    David Bishop Inc. Photolibrary/Getty Images

    Whole kernel corn sweetens the filling in these stuffed peppers. Ground beef, tomato sauce, and rice are the main ingredients. Add some chili powder and a dash of cayenne pepper to give the dish Southwestern flavor.

  • 14 of 18

    Stuffed Peppers With Bulgur and Basil

    stuffed peppers, Greek style
    Azurita / Getty Images

    Bulgur replaces the more typical rice in these Greek-style vegan stuffed peppers. If you aren't vegan, add some feta cheese to the peppers just before serving.

  • 15 of 18

    Stuffed Red Peppers (Rocoto Relleno)

    stuffed red peppers
    Anna Kurzaeva/Getty Images

    The Peruvian-inspired filling for these peppers includes a hard-boiled egg, ground beef, black olives, raisins, and cheese. In Peru, hot rocoto peppers are used, but feel free to make the recipe with sweet red bell peppers.

  • 16 of 18

    Tex-Mex Stuffed Peppers

    tex mex stuffed peppers
    Diana Rattray

    The filling in this recipe features Tex-Mex flavors. Refried beans, salsa verde, ground beef, and Southwest seasonings are among the ingredients offering a smoky-spicy flavor. Top these peppers off with cheddar cheese or use a Mexican blend or pepper jack cheese to add a creamy texture.

    Continue to 17 of 18 below.
  • 17 of 18

    Vegan Couscous Stuffed Bell Peppers

    couscous peppers
    Dorling Kindersley

    Couscous is the grain used in these flavorful vegan stuffed peppers. Scallions, some diced multi-colored peppers, lemon juice, and parsley add color and flavor.

  • 18 of 18

    Turkish Stuffed Peppers

    stuffed peppers Turkish style
    Elizabeth Taviloglu

    The filling for these peppers is a warm and aromatic rice and pine nut mixture seasoned with a variety of spices, diced tomatoes, and currants.