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Easy Crockpot Cheesy Stuffed Peppers Recipe Perfect for Busy Weeknights

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A comforting and easy crockpot recipe featuring cheesy, meaty stuffed bell peppers perfect for busy weeknights. This hands-off meal combines simple ingredients for a creamy, flavorful filling.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 6 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), firm with no soft spots
  • 1 pound ground beef (80/20 preferred)
  • 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (plain or seasoned)
  • 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (sharp cheddar or Mexican blend)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Optional: red pepper flakes for heat
  • Optional: chopped fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

  1. Rinse the bell peppers, slice off the tops, and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside the tops if you want to use them as lids.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for another 1 minute until fragrant.
  3. Add ground beef to the skillet. Break it up with a spatula and cook until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  4. Transfer cooked beef mixture to a mixing bowl. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 cup of shredded cheese. Mix until well combined and moist but not runny.
  5. Using a spoon or small scoop, fill each pepper with the beef and cheese mixture. Pack gently but do not overfill.
  6. Place stuffed peppers upright in the crockpot. If they don’t stand well, wedge them close together for support. Sprinkle remaining ½ cup cheese on top of each pepper.
  7. Cover and cook on low for 5-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours until peppers are tender but not mushy and filling is hot and bubbly. Drain excess liquid if needed.
  8. Carefully remove peppers with a slotted spoon. Garnish with fresh parsley and red pepper flakes if desired. Serve warm.

Notes

Brown the meat first to lock in flavor and reduce greasy aftertaste. Do not overfill peppers to avoid spills and uneven cooking. Choose thick-walled peppers that stand upright. Check crockpot at minimum cooking time to avoid overcooking. Clean crockpot promptly after use to avoid tough residue.

Nutrition

Keywords: crockpot stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, slow cooker dinner, easy weeknight meal, ground beef stuffed peppers, comfort food, crockpot recipes

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