9 Family-Friendly Recipes for Stuffed Peppers (Classic to Philly Cheesesteak)

How many ways can you stuff a pepper? Plenty, as it turns out!

By
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht
Rachel Knecht turned her home baking into a career in 2016 when she began working as the head baker at The Greenbean Coffeehouse in Seattle, WA. Afterwards, she started Baking with Rachel (her blog), began teaching kids' cooking classes, and recipe tested for the cookbook "Let's Stay In" by Ashley Rodriguez.
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Published September 09, 2025
Rachel Knecht
Cajun stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish

Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

I have only good memories of eating stuffed peppers as a child. The softened peppers held a mixture of ground beef and rice, delighting me every time. Yet it wasn’t until adulthood that I truly discovered the versatility of stuffed peppers. 

You can bake stuffed peppers ahead of time and freeze them for a month before thawing in the refrigerator and rewarming. Or you could make them ahead of time by stuffing the peppers the night before. Stuffed peppers reheat well and are a delightfully quick and cozy lunch.

Now that you see how easily stuffed peppers can slide into your weekly meal rotation, check out all the variations below, including stuffed mini peppers and jalapeños for game days. I have no doubt that you’ll find one that you’ll make for years to come.

  • Dad's Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Side view of three bell peppers stuffed with beef and rice.

    Dad knew what he was doing when he cooked up these beefy bell peppers and topped them with a ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and Tabasco topping. Look for large peppers with a wide base so they stand up on their own and can hold the most filling.

  • Stuffed Pepper Soup

    Bowl of stuffed pepper soup topped with cheese and some of the soup in a spoon being taken from the bowl, and in the surroundings, a table setting with a table napkin, another bowl of soup, and a small bowl of herbs

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Fred Hardy / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Julia Bayliss

    Get all the comforting flavors of stuffed peppers without having to, you know, actually stuff them. Instead, the peppers, ground beef, and spices are combined into a winning weeknight soup that's ready in less than an hour.

  • Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

    Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers in casserole dish
    Simply Recipes / Alison Bickel.

    These stuffed peppers are brimming with vegetables, brown rice, and tofu and are a complete meal all on their own. You can use leftover cooked brown rice if you have it.

  • Mozzarella Stuffed Sweet Mini Peppers

    Mozzarella Stuffed Sweet Mini Peppers
    Elise Bauer

    Get your guests talking by serving blistered mini peppers stuffed with smoked mozzarella. They’re easy to make, delicious, and look pretty on a platter. Plus, you can decide whether you want to grill, bake, or broil them.

    Continue to 5 of 9 below

  • Mom's Stuffed Bell Peppers

    Stuffed Bell Peppers
    Elise Bauer

    Fresh herbs brighten the ground beef and rice mixture in Mom’s stuffed bell peppers. Instead of adding cheese or a tomato-based topping, you can serve them with ketchup or a dollop of sour cream.

  • Pizza Stuffed Peppers

    pizza stuffed peppers in a casserole dish

    Simply Recipes / Mihaela Kozaric Sebrek

    "These tender boats of bell pepper piled high with ground beef, rice, and onion are dressed up even further with pepperoni and cheese. They’re bursting with flavor and can be customized in various ways to match your go-to pizza order."—Molly Allen, Recipe Developer

  • Baked Stuffed Jalapeños

    A plate of baked stuffed jalapeo peppers garnished with herbs
    Sally P Vargas

    "if you want mild peppers, look for peppers with smooth skins. Striations tend to indicate that the pepper has been stressed while growing, and that can mean a hotter pepper."—Elise Bauer, Founder

  • Unstuffed Peppers

    spoonful of unstuffed pepper lifted from skillet with more

    Simply Recipes / Photo by Jen Causey / Food Styling by Emily Nabors Hall / Prop Styling by Lindsey Lower

    "While they’re cute to look at, stuffed peppers can be a bit of a hassle for your average hectic weeknight. That’s where unstuffed peppers come in. This recipe has all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers—ground beef, rice, tomato, and cheese—without the need to hollow out and pre-cook the whole peppers, stuff each cavity, and bake."—Laurel Randolph, Associate Editorial Director

    Continue to 9 of 9 below

  • Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers

    Philly Cheesesteak Stuffed Peppers on a Plate Next to a Casserole Dish with More Stuffed Peppers

    Simply Recipes / Nick Evans

    Skip the roll and make a low carb version of Philly cheesesteak sandwiches. The peppers are partially roasted before the filling is added to ensure that the sirloin steak doesn't get overcooked.

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