The Easiest Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Peppers Recipe Ever

Barefoot Contessa’s stuffed peppers represent a classic comfort dish that transforms humble ingredients into a mouthwatering meal.

Complex flavors emerge when bell peppers become vessels for hearty, seasoned filling.

Mediterranean-inspired ingredients dance together, creating a symphony of taste and texture.

Each pepper bursts with robust ground meat, melted cheese, and aromatic spices.

Garten’s signature approach elevates this simple recipe into something extraordinary.

Home cooks can easily replicate this delightful dish with basic kitchen skills.

Preparation becomes a delicious adventure that promises warm, satisfying results: gather your ingredients and get cooking!

Why Contessa Stuffed Peppers Are So Flavorful

• Savor Hearty Flavor Explosion: These stuffed peppers burst with rich, meaty goodness that combines perfectly seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and melted cheese in every single bite. The combination creates a mouthwatering meal that feels like a complete dinner in one delicious package.
• Quick and Easy Weeknight Wonder: This recipe comes together in just over an hour, making it an ideal solution for busy families craving a satisfying meal without spending hours in the kitchen. Home cooks can prep and cook everything using simple techniques and minimal ingredients.
• Nutritious One-Pot Comfort Classic: Packed with protein from beef, vegetables from peppers, and balanced carbohydrates from rice, this dish delivers a complete meal that feels both wholesome and indulgent. The one-skillet cooking method means less cleanup and more time enjoying a delicious dinner with loved ones.
• Customizable Crowd-Pleaser: Easily adaptable for different dietary preferences, these stuffed peppers allow home cooks to swap ingredients like ground turkey, add extra vegetables, or experiment with different cheese varieties. The flexible recipe welcomes creativity while maintaining its core delicious structure.

Key Ingredients for Contessa Stuffed Peppers

• Bell Peppers: Colorful vessels for the delicious filling, best when firm and bright.
• Ground Beef: Hearty protein base that provides rich flavor and substance to the dish.

• Rice: Starchy base that adds texture and helps bind the filling together, white rice works best.
• Onion: Aromatic foundation that provides depth and sweetness to the meat mixture.
• Garlic: Pungent seasoning that enhances overall flavor profile of the stuffed peppers.
• Tomato Paste: Concentrated tomato product that adds rich, deep tomato flavor and helps thicken the filling.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy component that adds moisture and bright acidic notes to the mixture.

• Oregano: Classic herb that brings Mediterranean-style herbal notes to the dish.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential seasonings for balancing and enhancing overall flavor.
• Cheese: Melty topping that provides creamy richness and golden brown finish.
• Parsley: Fresh herb garnish that adds bright color and light herbal freshness.
• Olive Oil: Cooking fat for sautéing and adding moisture to the peppers.

Instructions for Contessa Stuffed Peppers

Step 1: Prepare Your Oven

Preheat the oven to 400°F, getting ready for a delicious cooking adventure.

Step 2: Cook the Rice

Follow the package instructions to prepare rice in a small saucepan, ensuring perfectly fluffy grains.

Step 3: Sauté the Aromatics

• Onion (stir occasionally until soft, about 7 minutes)
• Garlic
• Tomato paste (cook until fragrant, about 1 minute)

Step 4: Brown the Ground Beef

Add ground beef to the skillet and break it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until no longer pink, about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.

Step 5: Create the Filling

• Cooked rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper

Simmer the mixture, stirring occasionally, until liquid reduces slightly (about 5 minutes).

Step 6: Prepare the Peppers

Arrange peppers cut-side up in a 13″x9″ baking dish.

• Drizzle with oil
• Spoon beef mixture into each pepper
• Top with cheese
• Cover the dish with foil

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

• First 35 minutes (covered): Cook until peppers become tender
• Next 10 minutes (uncovered): Let cheese become bubbly and golden

Step 8: Garnish and Serve

Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley on top just before serving. Enjoy your mouthwatering stuffed peppers!

Ideas for a Great Contessa Stuffed Peppers

• Snap Up Flavor: Choose bell peppers with thick, sturdy walls that resist breaking during baking.
• Cheese Cascade Strategy: Sprinkle extra cheese on top during the final 5 minutes of cooking for a melted golden crown.
• Quick Veggie Switch: Replace ground beef with black beans or quinoa for an instant vegetarian transformation.
• Meal Prep Champion: Assemble peppers completely the night before, storing them covered in the refrigerator for effortless next-day cooking.
• Seasoning Rescue Mission: Always taste your meat mixture before stuffing to guarantee perfect flavor balance.

How to Store Contessa Stuffed Peppers

• Freezer Storage: Wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap, then place in a labeled freezer bag. Preserve these delicious stuffed peppers for up to 2 months, ensuring a quick and convenient meal option when you're short on time.
• Refrigerator Preservation: Transfer cooled peppers to an airtight container, sealing tightly to lock in flavor and prevent absorbing other food odors. Enjoy your leftovers within 3-4 days for the best taste and texture.
• Reheating Method: Restore the peppers' original deliciousness by placing them in a covered oven-safe dish. Warm at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to revive and the filling to heat thoroughly. Always thaw frozen peppers overnight in the refrigerator for optimal results.

Flavor Variations on Contessa Stuffed Peppers

• Vegetarian Pepper Feast: Replace ground beef with plant-based protein like crumbled tofu, lentils, or quinoa for a meat-free version that's packed with nutrients and flavor.
• Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers: Swap ground beef for lamb, add feta cheese, and incorporate Mediterranean spices like cumin and mint to create a vibrant, aromatic dish with international flair.
• Spicy Southwest Peppers: Introduce diced jalapeños, swap tomato paste for salsa, use pepper jack cheese, and sprinkle chili powder to give the recipe a bold, zesty southwestern kick.
• Cheesy Chicken Pepper Bake: Substitute ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, mix in cream cheese, and top with a blend of cheddar and mozzarella for a creamy, protein-rich alternative.

Summation of Contessa Stuffed Peppers

Barefoot Contessa’s stuffed peppers elevate classic comfort cuisine with Mediterranean-inspired flair.

Mediterranean flavors dance across each pepper, creating culinary magic that connects home cooks with sophisticated techniques.

Savory ground beef melts into perfectly seasoned rice, promising a memorable dinner experience.

Complex layers of oregano, tomato, and cheese complement bell peppers’ natural sweetness.

Weekend meal preparations become gourmet adventures through this remarkable recipe.

Passionate cooks craving authentic and delicious dinners – you’ll adore sharing these peppers with family and friends, so snap a photo, post your creation, and spread culinary joy across social media platforms!

Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.6 from 37 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Barefoot Contessa Stuffed Peppers bring Mediterranean charm to classic comfort cuisine. Luscious bell peppers brim with seasoned ground beef, rice, and aromatic herbs, creating a hearty meal that transports you straight to a sun-drenched kitchen.

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Ingredients

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Protein:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef
• 1 cup shredded Monterey jack cheese

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 6 bell peppers, tops and cores removed
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 (14.5 ounces) can of diced tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Chopped fresh parsley, for serving

Grains and Seasonings:

• ½ cup uncooked white or brown rice
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 ½ teaspoons dried oregano
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the rice according to package instructions in a small saucepan, ensuring it’s fully cooked and fluffy.
2. In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and sauté diced onions until translucent and softened, approximately 7 minutes.
3. Introduce minced garlic and tomato paste to the skillet, stirring continuously to prevent burning and release aromatic flavors, about 1 minute.
4. Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into small crumbles using a wooden spoon. Cook thoroughly until the meat loses its pink color, roughly 6 minutes, and carefully drain any excess fat.
5. Incorporate the cooked rice and diced tomatoes into the beef mixture. Season generously with dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid slightly reduces and the flavors meld together, approximately 5 minutes.
7. Preheat the oven to 400°F (204°C) and prepare a 13-inch x 9-inch (33 cm x 23 cm) baking dish by lightly coating it with olive oil.
8. Position bell peppers cut-side up in the prepared baking dish, ensuring they are stable and evenly spaced.
9. Carefully fill each pepper with the beef and rice mixture, distributing the filling evenly.
10. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over the stuffed peppers, covering the entire surface.
11. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes, creating a steamy environment that helps tenderize the peppers.
12. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become golden and bubbly.
13. Remove from the oven and let the peppers rest for 5 minutes to set the filling.
14. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley before serving hot, adding a vibrant touch of color and fresh flavor.

Notes

• Prepare these stuffed peppers when you want a quick, impressive meal that looks like it came from a gourmet restaurant.
• Refrigerating assembled peppers allows flavors to meld beautifully, creating a more intense taste profile before baking.
• Mixing different cheese types like sharp cheddar and mozzarella adds complex layers of creamy richness to the filling.
• Easily customize the recipe by substituting ground beef with turkey, lamb, or plant-based protein for diverse dietary needs.
• Freezing individual portions makes this a perfect make-ahead dinner solution for busy weeknights or unexpected guests.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 362 kcal
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 28 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 21 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg