Creole Stuffed Bell Peppers (Print Version)

Bell peppers filled with a savory blend of beef, rice, and Creole spices, baked until tender.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large bell peppers, any color, tops removed and seeds discarded
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 celery stalks, finely chopped
04 - 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
05 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained

→ Meats

07 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Grains

08 - 1 cup cooked long-grain white rice

→ Dairy

09 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese, optional topping

→ Pantry & Spices

10 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
11 - 2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
14 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
15 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
16 - Salt and black pepper to taste
17 - 1/3 cup tomato sauce
18 - 1/2 cup beef or chicken broth

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
02 - Slice tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Stand peppers upright in baking dish.
03 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, and chopped green pepper. Sauté 3–4 minutes until softened.
04 - Stir in garlic and cook 1 minute until fragrant.
05 - Add ground beef to skillet. Cook, breaking up with spoon, until browned and cooked through, 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
06 - Stir in diced tomatoes, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, thyme, oregano, and cayenne. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer 5 minutes.
07 - Remove skillet from heat. Mix in cooked rice and tomato sauce until thoroughly combined.
08 - Fill each bell pepper with beef and rice mixture, pressing gently to pack filling.
09 - Pour broth into bottom of baking dish around stuffed peppers.
10 - Cover dish tightly with foil. Bake 35 minutes.
11 - Remove foil. Sprinkle cheddar cheese over peppers if using. Bake uncovered 10 additional minutes until peppers tender and cheese melted.
12 - Let stuffed peppers rest 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The combination of tender peppers and seasoned beef creates this perfect comfort food balance that hits different on cold nights
  • Creole spices transform ordinary stuffed peppers into something that feels like a celebration
02 -
  • If your peppers wobble in the dish, slice a tiny bit off the bottom to make them sit flat without cutting through to the inside
  • The broth at the bottom is not a mistake, it creates steam that cooks the peppers from the inside out
03 -
  • Mix a tablespoon of the cheese directly into the filling for extra flavor in every bite
  • Use peppers with flat bottoms and straight sides for the most stable stuffing experience

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