Easy Homemade Stuffed Peppers with Ground Beef and Cheese

Cheesy stuffed peppers are the ultimate comfort food, filled with savory ground beef, onions, and tomatoes, then topped with melted cheddar and mozzarella. This easy recipe is hearty, flavorful, and perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep. Serve them with rice, salad, or garlic bread for a wholesome, family-friendly meal everyone will love.

Stuffed peppers are one of those classic dishes that feels both homey and impressive at the same time. With their vibrant colors and savory filling, they’re the perfect balance of comfort food and a healthy, veggie-forward meal. Each pepper acts as its own little serving bowl, packed with seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, onions, and spices that bring big flavor with minimal effort.

What makes this recipe even better is its versatility. You can swap in your favorite spices, adjust the filling to your taste, or even make them vegetarian! The balance of juicy tomatoes, perfectly seasoned beef, and gooey melted cheese creates a dish that looks as good as it tastes. Served fresh from the oven, these stuffed peppers are sure to become a staple on your dinner table.

Why you’ll love this recipe

• Comfort food made simple – Stuffed peppers are a hearty, cheesy, and flavorful meal that’s super easy to make.
• Balanced and filling – Protein-packed beef, veggies, and cheese all in one dish.
• Family-friendly – Kids and adults both love the cheesy, savory filling; sure to satisfy even the pickiest eater!
• Extremely customizable – You can easily swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based protein.
• Meal-prep friendly – Great for making ahead and reheating throughout the week.

Ingredients needed

• 3 bell peppers, cut in half: The main stars of the dish; choose red, yellow, or green for color variety. Make sure to look for peppers that are shiny and firm so that they hold their shape well when roasting in the oven.
• Olive oil
• 1 diced yellow onion: For some sweetness and depth of flavor.
• 3 garlic cloves, minced: Aromatic and savory; enhances the filling.
• 1 can diced whole tomato (14.5 oz): Adds moisture and flavor to the filling.
• Seasonings of salt, pepper, cumin, Italian seasoning: The cumin adds warmth and a subtle earthy flavor, while Italian seasoning provides the perfect herby mix to complement the tomato base.
• 1 pound ground beef: The hearty protein for the filling; look for 80/20 for the perfect mix of lean and fat. You can also swap out the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based protein.
• Tomato sauce: Helps bind the filling and keeps it juicy.
• Shredded cheddar & mozzarella: The sharp creamy flavor of cheddar complements the meaty filling well, while the mozzarella melts beautifully and adds stretchiness.

How to make stuffed peppers

Step 1: Prepare the peppers. Slice bell peppers in half lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes, and place them cut-side up in a baking dish. Drizzle lightly with olive oil, then roast in the oven for 10-15 minutes at 350°F.

Step 2: Cook the filling. In a nonstick frying pan with olive oil over medium heat, add onion and cook for about 3-4 minutes until soft and translucent. Then add garlic, chopped tomatoes, and the seasonings, stirring until well combined.

Step 3: Add the beef. Stir in ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook until browned, then add in the tomato sauce and bring to a boil.

Step 4: Assemble the peppers and bake. Remove the peppers from the oven once roasted and spoon the beef mixture evenly into the pepper halves. Put back in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes.

Step 5: Top with cheese. Remove the peppers from the oven and sprinkle the shredded cheddar and mozzarella over each stuffed pepper. Broil in the oven for another 1-2 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.

Step 6: Serve hot and enjoy! Let cool slightly before serving.

What to serve with stuffed peppers

These stuffed peppers pair well with:

• A fresh side salad: Lightens the meal with crisp greens.
• Garlic bread or dinner rolls: Perfect for soaking up extra sauce.
• Rice or quinoa: Adds extra bulk and helps soak up the savory filling.
• Roasted vegetables: For a colorful, nutritious side dish.

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