Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuffed Green Peppers

Teresa Ambra

I love my Mom’s Stuffed Green Peppers recipe! The flavors are a teensy weensy bit sweet and sour that I’ve always enjoyed. This is an old family recipe that we have eaten for a long, long time. My mom used to make these all the time when I was growing up. She always used Minute Rice. This is actually preferable over higher quality rice (unless you precook it). Minute Rice cooks much faster and I recommend that for anyone who’s in a hurry!

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Stuffed Green Peppers have about a half teaspoon of brown sugar sprinkled lightly over the top of each bell pepper before baking. This provides a slightly sweet and sour taste that’s quite wonderful. I also use a very lean 96% ground beef mixture for this recipe, so the peppers don’t end up with a lot of grease.

I use a ketchup that’s gluten free and doesn’t have all the preservatives or high fructose corn syrup that some ketchups have. For a little more pizazz you can also substitute spaghetti sauce for the plain tomato sauce in the recipe. Back when I was growing up, spaghetti sauce wasn’t available commercially.

I made this recipe frequently when we were first married. Especially whenever we grew our own gardens. The bell peppers were inexpensive and it was such a quick and easy recipe to prepare when our kids were young. I spent very little time in the kitchen and had a wonderful meal ready in an hour to an hour and a half.

Green peppers used to go on sale during the summer for about 50 cents a piece. I would usually stock up and plan to put Stuffed Green Peppers on the menu. I never minded eating the peppers as well as the filling.

If you’re looking for a tasty Stuffed Bell Pepper recipe, then give this one a try. It’s easy and satisfying, slightly sweet, and very filling. It’s also gluten free if your ketchup is gluten free.

I initially posted this recipe in May 2014. At that time I tried making the recipe with regular brown rice. But it really doesn’t cook as well. You have to precook the rice to make it work. I recently remade this recipe (February 2020) for my husband and I. Since we had leftovers, I had Stuffed Green Peppers for a couple of lunch meals afterwards.

This is still one of my favorite comfort food meals. I could probably enjoy this vintage entree weekly. 🙂 I hope you enjoy it too.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar.  The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuffed Green Peppers has always been a family favorite. I served it with Jalapeno Cheddar Honey Cornbread. Yum.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

This old-fashioned recipe is easy and delicious. The peppers come out of the oven this way. But there is plenty of extra sauce at the bottom of the pan to ladle over top if you prefer a lot of tomato sauce on top.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

I slow cook the peppers in the oven about an hour and a half to ensure the rice is cooked sufficiently. This Stuffed Green Pepper has additional sauce ladled over the top.

Here’s what I did.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

I used these ingredients.

I use a 96% lean ground beef. I also recommend using minute rice or brown minute rice as it cooks more quickly. (Otherwise, if you want to use a high quality rice, you will need to precook it first).

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Cut off the tops of the peppers and remove pulp and seeds. Place cut side down in boiling water.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Parboil green peppers about 5 minutes. Remove from pan to cool slightly. Drain water.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Meanwhile, mix stuffing for bell peppers. Place the ground beef, Minute Rice, ketchup and diced onions in a mixing bowl.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Mix ingredients with your hands until well mixed.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuff peppers with raw meat mixture. The mixture will expand while baking.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Pour a can of tomato sauce over top of peppers.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon of brown sugar over top of each bell pepper. Cover with lid and bake at 350.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Bake at 350 for about one hour fifteen minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

If desired, ladle tomato sauce from the bottom of the roaster pan over top of each bell pepper before serving.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuffed Green Peppers make up one delicious comfort food meal.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

This was terrific served with a Jalapeno Cheddar Honey Cornbread.

Here’s the recipe.

STUFFED GREEN PEPPERS

(Recipe adapted from my mom, Helen Mattis, Titusville, FL)

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuffed Green Peppers

Teresa Ambra
Stuffed Green Peppers is a vintage old-fashioned recipe that's a family favorite. Green peppers are stuffed with a ground beef and rice. Then they're topped with tomato sauce and sprinkled very lightly with brown sugar. These delicious peppers bake up to perfection. This delightful comfort food entree is mouthwatering and irresistible.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Beef Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 299 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large roaster pan with lid
  • 1 sharp knife
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large green bell peppers
  • 1 1/2 lbs. 96% lean ground beef
  • 1 cup uncooked Minute Rice instant rice works the best
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 2/3 cup ketchup
  • 15 oz. can tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce for a richer flavor
  • 3 teaspoons light brown sugar divided use

Instructions
 

  • Cut tops off peppers and remove pulp and seeds.
  • Place in roaster pan with about 1-2 inches water.
  • Cover with lid and parboil cut-side down for about 5 minutes; remove peppers and drain water from pan.
  • Mix uncooked ground beef, rice, onion and ketchup in a large mixing bowl; mix together until mixture sticks together.
  • Stuff peppers with this mixture.
  • Place stuffed-side up in roaster (you may want to spray it with cooking spray first).
  • Pour can of tomato sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar over top of each stuffed bell pepper.
  • Cover with lid and bake in 350° oven for about 1 1/2 hours, or until beef and rice are cooked through.

Notes

NOTE: If you use ground beef with a high percentage of fat, the recipe will turn out too greasy.
 
NOTE: If you use Minute Rice the recipe will cook in about 1 hour to one hour fifteen minutes.
 
NOTE: If you want to use a whole grain brown rice in the recipe, it would really be better if you pre-cook the rice, or it will take too long to cook.
 
NOTE: This recipe has a very slightly tangy sweet and sour taste. It does not have the standard ketchup-only flavored sauce used in many Stuffed Green Pepper recipes.
 
NOTE: I used one half teaspoon of brown sugar on each stuffed pepper. But you can use more if you prefer a slightly sweeter taste.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 28gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 660mgPotassium: 991mgFiber: 4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1051IUVitamin C: 139mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 5mg
Keyword beef, gluten free, ground beef, main dish, rice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

 

[b]Stuffed Green Peppers[/b]
Recipe Type: Beef Main Dish
Cuisine: American
Author: Teresa Ambra adapted from my mom, Helen Mattis, Titusville, FL
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
Old-fashioned family recipe where green peppers are stuffed with a filling of beef, rice, onion and ketchup. Then it’s topped with tomato sauce and brown sugar and baked to perfection. This recipe is gluten free if you purchase gluten free ketchup.
Ingredients
  • 6 large green peppers
  • 1 to 1 ½ lbs. ground chuck (I prefer 96% lean ground beef)
  • 1 cup uncooked rice (instant rice works the best)
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • about 2/3 cup ketchup
  • 15-oz. can tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce for a richer flavor
  • brown sugar, about 1 heaping teaspoon for each pepper (I use 1 heaping TABLESPOON)
Instructions
  1. Cut tops off peppers and remove pulp and seeds.
  2. Place in roaster pan with about 1-2 inches water.
  3. Cover with lid and parboil cut-side down for about 5 minutes.
  4. Mix uncooked ground chuck, rice, onion and ketchup to a mixture that sticks together.
  5. Start with about ½ cup ketchup, and add another ½ cup if you think you need it to make it moist enough.
  6. Stuff peppers with this mixture.
  7. Place stuffed-side up in roaster (you may want to spray it with cooking spray first).
  8. Pour can of tomato sauce over top.
  9. Pour about half to three-fourths of a sauce can of water over top.
  10. Place about 1 heaping tablespoon of brown sugar on top of each stuffed pepper.
  11. Cover with lid and bake in 350° oven for 1 to 1 ½ hours until beef and rice is cooked through.
Notes
If you use ground beef with a high percentage of fat, the recipe will turn out too greasy.[br][br]If you substitute Minute Rice for the brown rice the recipe will cook in about 1 hour.[br][br]You can eliminate the water in the recipe if you desire.[br][br]If you want to use a whole grain brown rice in the recipe, it would really be better if you pre-cook the rice, or it will take too long to cook.[br][br]This recipe has a slightly sweet and sour taste. It does not have the standard ketchup-only flavored sauce used in many Stuffed Green Pepper recipes.[br][br]I use one heaping tablespoon of brown sugar on each stuffed pepper. But if you don’t want a slightly sweet taste, than use 1 teaspoon.
Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

If you use a gluten free ketchup, this recipe can be completely gluten free.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

We love the sauciness of this recipe. If you have a vegetable garden and you’re growing bell peppers, this is a great recipe for that.

Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

We’ve always loved Stuffed Green Peppers and believe you will too! Enjoy it with a few pieces of Jalapeno Cheddar Honey Cornbread.

You may also enjoy these delicious recipes!

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this fantastic #GooseberryPatch #recipe is so delightful. If you enjoyed #StuffedBellPeppers you'll love this #casserole version which uses #HerbStuffingMix instead. Quick & easy to prepare weeknight dinner meal, too. #beef #GroundBeef #BellPeppers #corn #StuffedPepperCasserole

Cabbage Roll Casserole

Cabbage Roll Casserole | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen

Cabbage Roll Soup

Cabbage Roll Soup | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this awesome #soup tastes like eating #cabbagerolls in soup form! Perfect for chilly fall or winter nights. #glutenfree #beef #rice #Italiansausage #cabbage #tomatoes
Stuffed Green Peppers | Can't Stay Out of the Kitchen | this delicious vintage #recipe is a family favorite. #BellPeppers are stuffed with #GroundBeef & #rice & covered with #TomatoSauce & a pinch of brown sugar. The slightly sweet & savory taste is so mouthwatering. Delightful comfort food entree. #StuffedGreenPeppers #GlutenFree

Stuffed Green Peppers

Teresa Ambra
Stuffed Green Peppers is a vintage old-fashioned recipe that’s a family favorite. Green peppers are stuffed with a ground beef and rice. Then they’re topped with tomato sauce and sprinkled very lightly with brown sugar. These delicious peppers bake up to perfection. This delightful comfort food entree is mouthwatering and irresistible.
No ratings yet
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Course Beef Main Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 6
Calories 299 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 large roaster pan with lid
  • 1 sharp knife
  • measuring cups
  • measuring spoons
  • 1 large mixing bowl
  • 1 wooden spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 6 large green bell peppers
  • 1 1/2 lbs. 96% lean ground beef
  • 1 cup uncooked Minute Rice instant rice works the best
  • 1/2 cup onion chopped
  • 2/3 cup ketchup
  • 15 oz. can tomato sauce or spaghetti sauce for a richer flavor
  • 3 teaspoons light brown sugar divided use

Instructions
 

  • Cut tops off peppers and remove pulp and seeds.
  • Place in roaster pan with about 1-2 inches water.
  • Cover with lid and parboil cut-side down for about 5 minutes; remove peppers and drain water from pan.
  • Mix uncooked ground beef, rice, onion and ketchup in a large mixing bowl; mix together until mixture sticks together.
  • Stuff peppers with this mixture.
  • Place stuffed-side up in roaster (you may want to spray it with cooking spray first).
  • Pour can of tomato sauce over top.
  • Sprinkle about 1/2 teaspoon brown sugar over top of each stuffed bell pepper.
  • Cover with lid and bake in 350° oven for about 1 1/2 hours, or until beef and rice are cooked through.

Notes

NOTE: If you use ground beef with a high percentage of fat, the recipe will turn out too greasy.
 
NOTE: If you use Minute Rice the recipe will cook in about 1 hour to one hour fifteen minutes.
 
NOTE: If you want to use a whole grain brown rice in the recipe, it would really be better if you pre-cook the rice, or it will take too long to cook.
 
NOTE: This recipe has a very slightly tangy sweet and sour taste. It does not have the standard ketchup-only flavored sauce used in many Stuffed Green Pepper recipes.
 
NOTE: I used one half teaspoon of brown sugar on each stuffed pepper. But you can use more if you prefer a slightly sweeter taste.
 
© Can’t Stay Out of the Kitchen

Nutrition

Calories: 299kcalCarbohydrates: 34gProtein: 28gFat: 6gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 70mgSodium: 660mgPotassium: 991mgFiber: 4gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 1051IUVitamin C: 139mgCalcium: 48mgIron: 5mg
Keyword beef, gluten free, ground beef, main dish, rice
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

11 Comments

  • java

    September 3, 2016 at 10:00 am

    Loved these (well I don’t eat the pepper, but still, loved them!) Used cooked arborio rice – next time I won’t add the water, because they were a bit too wet. LOVED the sweet&sour flavor. I only had 5 peppers, so baked the leftover filling in a single serving lidded casserole without added water and it was PERFECT! Thank you!

    1. Teresa

      September 3, 2016 at 4:18 pm

      Hi, Java. Yes, I think if you want to use a high quality rice in this recipe it’s better to pre-cook it. I’m so glad you enjoyed the recipe. We’ve always liked the slightly sweet and sour flavor of my Mom’s recipe.

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  • Suzanne

    August 30, 2014 at 6:28 pm

    Please read my review above.

  • Suzanne

    August 30, 2014 at 6:25 pm

    This recipe did not work on all levels. First, the rice did not cook even though we had plenty of moisture and I cannot figure out why anyone would put brown sugar on top of the peppers. It did not lend a sweet sour, lush mellow taste at all. This was a total failure as my husband was trying to do something different from my tried and true New York Times Cook Book recipe that MY mom has been cooking since the 1960s. This is recipe that obviously needs it’s own nuance as the author has done. It does not replicate at all and would avoid the effort to try. So sorry for my review. We had to order a pizza.

    1. Teresa

      August 30, 2014 at 10:38 pm

      Suzanne, I am so sorry you had difficulty with the recipe and it didn’t turn out the way you hoped. You can use instant rice for this recipe as that seems to cook more quickly. I try to use a healthier brown rice now, but it does have to cook a bit longer than normal. I’m not sure why my mom put brown sugar on her peppers, but we always ate them that way and they did have a subtle sweet and sour flavor. Again, I’m sorry you were unable to enjoy your meal.

      1. Suzanne

        August 31, 2014 at 7:13 am

        The New York Times recipe from the 60s uses precooked rice which you could do with the brown rice for a healthier version. Personally, I do not like sweetness in recipes unless its like a red cabbage recipe with vinegar to counter act the sugar. Thanks for the reply. Better luck next time.

        1. Teresa

          August 31, 2014 at 3:02 pm

          Right! I’d love to try your NYT recipe sometime, Suzanne. And sorry it didn’t work out.

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