Name: Classic Beef Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 35 min
Total time: 45 min
Ingredients: 2 bell peppers; 12 ounces ground beef; 1 egg; 2.5 ounces Gruyere cheese (grated); 2 tablespoon bread crumbs; 2 tablespoons milk; 2 tablespoons ketchup; 1/2 tablespoon salt; 1 teaspoon pepper; 1/2 teaspoon curry powder; 1/2 teaspoon ginger powder; 1/2 teaspoon oregano; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon paprika powder; 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 ounce Gruyere cheese (grated); parsley (finely chopped)

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The filling is ground beef with the right combination of cheese, spices, and condiments that keeps it from going tight and dry in the oven. Red, orange and yellow bell peppers are the most flavorful choice; sweet, and substantial enough to hold their shape through the baking time. The filling goes in generously and the whole dish can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to bake.

Two bell peppers, two people, and a dinner that has been on the American table long enough to qualify as a classic, which means most people have a strong opinion about what goes into one. This version earns its place by getting the fundamentals right: a filling that stays juicy and a pepper that does not collapse.

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Key Ingredients in This Recipe

Ingredients to make Classic Stuffed Peppers

You’ll find the complete list of ingredients and exact quantities in the recipe below.

Bell peppers – any color will work. The red bell pepper is the sweetest of the bell peppers; it has gone through the full process of ripening, giving it the sweet and fruity flavor. The green pepper is picked before they go through the ripening process to change color. This results in a slightly more bitter, tangy taste. The yellow and orange and in between these two. Whatever color you pick, bell peppers are a great source of vitamin C, A, fiber and more.
Ground beef – I used lean beef, up to 95% lean.
Cheese – select a cheese that melts easily and that adds flavor. I used Gruyere cheese. An aged cheddar or Gouda cheese will also do well. I would not use Mozzarella though. It will melt easily, looks nice with long strings, but it does not add any flavor to the meat.
Egg – adds fat, flavor, and moisture and also helps bind the meat together.
Bread crumbs – when mixed with the milk, it add moisture and functions as a binder, similar to the egg.
Milk
Ketchup – adds moisture and flavor.
Spices – curry powder, ginger, paprika, nutmeg, oregano, garlic powder.

Want to see the recipe in action? This short video below walks you through the key steps.

How to Make Classic Beef Stuffed Peppers

Step 1 – Pick a variety of colors or just choose one.

Clean the bell peppers. Cut them in half, along the long side or the short side. Take the core and the seeds out.

Step 2 – Transfer all ingredients to a bowl and mix well, but don’t overmix.

Make ground beef mixture by mixing all ingredients, except for bell peppers

Stuff bell pepper halves with ground beef mixture

Step 3 – Stuff the pepper halves with the ground beef mixture and place them in one or two baking dishes.

Step 4 – Add a little bit of stock to the dish, so the peppers don’t cook stuck onto the dish.

You can also add tomato sauce or even water if you like.

Place the peppers in an oven of 400°F for 30 minutes.

Add Stock to dish with stuffed bell pepper halves.

Midway through cooking time, sprinkle ground beef with shredded cheese. Put back in oven.

Step 5 – Top the peppers with a little bit of grated cheese and put them back into the oven for another 5-10 minutes.

Step 6 – Serve the peppers in the baking dishes, on a plate or bowl. Sprinkle with a little bit of parsley or basil.

Green bowl with classic stuffed bell peppers. One yellow and one red.

Other Recipes of Stuffed Vegetables to Try

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