20 Hearty and Satisfying Stuffed Pepper Recipes

The fillings are limited only by your imagination

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Updated 05/09/20

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 the 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 20

Stuffed Peppers With Ground Beef and Rice

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 20

Chile Relleno Stuffed Peppers

Molly Watson

The filling in these peppers uses south-of-the-border ingredients like Mexican chorizo, potatoes, zucchini, Monterey Jack cheese, and creamy queso fresco. Serve them with rice and beans or make it a simple meal with some warm tortillas.
03 of 20

Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

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.
04 of 20

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.

Continue to 5 of 20 below.
05 of 20

Chicken and Rice Stuffed Peppers

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.
06 of 20

Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

The Spruce

For Philly cheesesteak fans, this recipe offers a healthy way to replicate the same flavors without having to reset your belt. Just like its sandwich inspiration, they contain thinly-sliced grilled flank steak, mushrooms, and provolone cheese.
07 of 20

Unstuffed Peppers Casserole

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.
08 of 20

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.

Continue to 9 of 20 below.
09 of 20

Instant Pot 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.
10 of 20

Vegetarian Rice and Cheddar Stuffed Peppers

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.
11 of 20

Stuffed Peppers With Cheesy Ham and Rice Filling

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.
12 of 20

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.

Continue to 13 of 20 below.
13 of 20

Jalapeño 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.
14 of 20

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.
15 of 20

Baked 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.
16 of 20

Stuffed Peppers With Bulgur and Basil

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.

Continue to 17 of 20 below.
17 of 20

Stuffed Red Peppers (Rocoto Relleno)

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.
18 of 20

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.
19 of 20

Vegan Couscous Stuffed Bell 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.
20 of 20

Turkish Stuffed Peppers

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.