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Mediterranean Stuffed Bell Peppers

Colorful bell peppers stuffed with vibrant Mediterranean rice and creamy feta cheese.

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A cozy and satisfying dinner featuring bell peppers stuffed with a savory filling of toasted rice, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, and herbs, finished with feta cheese. This dish delivers deep, comforting flavors with minimal hands-on time.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 lb lean ground beef or lamb
  • 1 small yellow onion, finely diced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked
  • 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, divided
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place prepared bell peppers cut-side up in a baking dish.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the uncooked rice and toast for 2-3 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant and slightly golden.
  3. Add the ground beef and diced onion to the skillet. Cook, breaking up the meat, until browned and onion is soft. Stir in garlic, oregano, and thyme; cook 1 minute.
  4. Pour in the diced tomatoes with juices and the broth. Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce heat, and cook for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
  5. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in half of the feta cheese and all the parsley. Season filling generously with salt and pepper.
  6. Spoon the filling evenly into the bell peppers. Pour 1/2 cup water into the bottom of the baking dish around the peppers. Cover dish tightly with foil.
  7. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle remaining feta over peppers, and bake uncovered for 15-20 more minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is lightly golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Toasting the rice first is key to prevent a soggy filling. For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with two cans of rinsed chickpeas or lentils. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days or can be frozen for 3 months.

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