Stuffed Peppers are such a huge favorite. Here is my guide on how to make stuffed peppers, with a bunch of different ideas and recipes for you to try.
I love stuffed peppers, don’t you? They’re a true comfort food with a bit of healthiness thrown in. I’m going to fill you in on the details of how to make stuffed peppers here today.
You can make stuffed peppers in a number of different ways, so you have some options as you go. First, what type of filling to use. Second, how to cut the pepper. Third, how to fix a tippy pepper and finally, the time and temperature needed to cook your peppers.
Stuffed peppers are a classic crowd-pleasing dish, but cooking them just right can be tricky When using raw ground beef as the filling, proper cooking is especially important to ensure the meat is fully cooked through. Undercooked beef poses a food safety risk. Luckily, with the right techniques, it’s easy to get perfect stuffed peppers every time
In this article, I’ll walk through exactly how long to bake stuffed peppers packed with raw ground beef so they turn out juicy, flavorful and most importantly, safe to eat. Let’s get started!
Why Use Raw Ground Beef for Stuffed Peppers
Raw beef is often used as the base for stuffed pepper fillings There are a few reasons why raw works so well
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Maximizes flavor – Browning raw beef while cooking builds tons of flavor from the Maillard reaction. This adds richness and depth.
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Keeps moisture in – Skipping pre-cooking keeps the meat juicier in the finished dish.
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Saves time – Using raw beef means no extra browning step before stuffing the peppers.
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Infuses seasonings – Spices and aromatics permeate the raw meat better.
Just be sure to compensate for the raw meat with a longer baking time. This allows the beef to fully cook through while nestled inside the peppers.
How Long Should Stuffed Peppers Bake with Raw Beef?
The baking time can vary based on a few factors:
- Size of the peppers
- Amount of filling
- Desired doneness of the peppers
- Browning time for topping cheese
In general, I recommend baking stuffed peppers with raw ground beef at 375°F for approximately 60-75 minutes.
Here are more details:
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Bake for 60 minutes if using smaller peppers that are less filled out.
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Bake for 70-75 minutes for larger, well-stuffed peppers.
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Add extra time if topping with cheese to brown.
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Check temps and adjust time if needed. Beef should reach 160°F.
Tips for Baked Stuffed Peppers with Raw Beef
Follow these tips for baked stuffed peppers that come out perfectly cooked from edge to edge:
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Par-cook the rice – This prevents crunchy, underdone rice.
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Use lean ground beef – Higher fat beef may remain pink longer. Lean is safest.
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Stuff generously – Loosely filled peppers cook faster than well-packed ones.
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Stand peppers upright – Keeping them vertical prevents fillings from spilling out.
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Spray with oil – Lightly oil peppers so they don’t dry out during baking.
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Cover tightly – Tent foil over pan to trap moisture and speed cooking.
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Check temperature – Use a meat thermometer to confirm fillings reach 160°F.
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Let rest 5 minutes – Carryover cooking will finish off any undercooked spots.
With these baking guidelines and tips, you can feel confident that your stuffed peppers with raw ground beef will turn out perfectly cooked and ready to enjoy.
Know the Signs of Properly Baked Stuffed Peppers
Here are some signs your stuffed peppers are done after baking:
- Peppers feel very tender when pierced with a fork
- Beef filling registers 160°F on a meat thermometer
- Cheese topping is melted and browned (if added)
- Rice is fluffy and cooked through
- Juices bubble thickly around base of peppers
The filling should be hot and steaming throughout. Understuffed or smaller peppers may cook faster, so start checking earlier. Enjoy your baked stuffed peppers immediately for the best texture and flavor.
More Raw Ground Beef Filling Ideas
While basic ground beef makes a delicious stuffed pepper filling, you can also mix it up with other ingredients. Get creative with mix-ins like:
- Diced onion and garlic
- Spices like cumin, oregano, paprika
- Chopped mushrooms
- Crumbled bacon
- Cooked lentils or beans
- Chopped spinach or kale
- Sun-dried tomatoes
- Grated cheese
- Rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice
The options are endless for flavorful fillings! Use your favorite spices and veggies to customize stuffed peppers to your taste.
Safety Tips for Raw Ground Beef
To safely handle and cook raw beef:
- Always wash hands, utensils, and surfaces after contact.
- Refrigerate beef within 2 hours of purchasing.
- Cook beef to an internal temperature of at least 160°F.
- Discard leftovers after 3-4 days in the fridge.
Following these simple guidelines will keep you and your loved ones safe when cooking with raw beef.
For Halved Peppers With Fully Cooked Ingredients In The Stuffing
450o for 20 minutes will soften the peppers to al dente, which means they are soft but still have a little bite to them. It will also darken some of them. It will also heat the ingredients all the way through and add a nice brown touch to any lightly oiled breadcrumbs on top of the pepper. If you like your peppers softer, go for 350ºF for 35-40 minutes.
Choice #3: What To Do About Tippy Peppers
If your pepper doesn’t stand up nicely there are two things you can do. To make the pepper’s bottom more even, cut off a small, flat piece of it. When you do that, don’t cut all the way through the pepper, or the stuffing will leak out.
The other thing you can do for tippy peppers is to make nests for them using aluminium foil. Scrunch up a 12-inch square of foil and push the edges toward the middle to make a bowl shape. Make the scoop of the bowl the size of your pepper. Set the nests in your baking dish and then put the peppers in the nests.
Easy Stuffed Peppers Recipe
How do you cook stuffed peppers in a crock pot?
Add the bell peppers to a lightly oiled baking dish. Top the peppers with marinara sauce and bake in a preheated oven. Right before serving, sprinkle some cheese on top and broil the stuffed peppers for a few minutes. Lastly, garnish with parsley and serve.
How long do you cook stuffed peppers at 350?
Bake the stuffed peppers at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 45 minutes to an hour. This will allow the peppers to soften and the meat to cook through completely. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to ensure the internal temperature reaches a safe level of 160°F (71°C). 7. Can I freeze stuffed peppers with raw meat?
How to make stuffed bell peppers?
To make Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers, you will need five ingredients including tomato sauce. Cooked rice and ground beef are used to stuff the bell peppers. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and spray a baking dish large enough to hold peppers upright with nonstick cooking spray.
How do you cook a stuffed pepper?
Cook a stuffed pepper in the oven at 375 degrees F until it becomes tender. Stuffed peppers can be cooked in the oven.