Sweet Rainbow Bell Peppers: Ina Garten’s Irresistible Stuffed Recipe

Stuffed bell peppers spark joy on dinner tables across countless homes, and this Ina Garten stuffed bell peppers recipe brings a delightful twist to a classic comfort dish.

Her approach turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal that sings with flavor.

Bold spices and fresh herbs dance through each colorful pepper, creating a symphony of taste.

The recipe balances simplicity with sophisticated technique, making gourmet cooking feel effortless.

Soft bell peppers cradle a rich filling that promises warmth and satisfaction in every bite.

You’ll love how easily these peppers come together, delivering restaurant-quality results with minimal effort.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to impress everyone at the table with this mouthwatering culinary creation.

Kitchen Tools for Bell Peppers Stuffed Ina’s Way

• Large Skillet: Essential for browning sausage and sautéing onions and garlic.
• Baking Dish: Holds and bakes the bell peppers perfectly.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping onions and preparing ingredients.
• Sharp Knife: Used for dicing onions and mincing garlic.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.
• Wooden Spoon or Spatula: Great for stirring and mixing ingredients.
• Aluminum Foil: Covers the baking dish during initial baking.
• Cheese Grater: Optional for shredding fresh mozzarella.
• Fork: Helps fluff rice and serve the stuffed peppers.

Instructions to Assemble Ina Garten Stuffed Bell Peppers

Savory Peppers Stuffed with Italian Goodness

• Pepper Preparation Bell peppers transform into delicious boats ready for a flavor adventure. Slice peppers carefully down the middle, scoop out seeds, and nestle them in a baking dish. A quick brush of oil and sprinkle of seasoning creates a perfect base for the upcoming deliciousness.
• Sausage Sizzle Fragrant Italian sausage dances in a hot skillet, releasing its rich aroma. Diced onions and garlic join the party, creating a foundation of deep, comforting flavors that will make taste buds sing.
• Rice and Sauce Symphony Combine rice with marinara, chicken broth, and classic Italian seasonings. Let the mixture simmer gently, allowing each ingredient to mingle and develop a harmonious blend of tastes that promises pure comfort.
• Filling and Topping Lovingly spoon the sausage-rice mixture into pepper halves. Sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese on top, creating a golden, melty crown that hints at the deliciousness to come.
• Oven Magic Cover the baking dish with foil and let the oven work its transformative power. A quick broil at the end gives the cheese a perfectly golden, bubbling finish that will make everyone at the table eager to dig in.
• Serving Suggestion A light shower of fresh parsley adds a bright, fresh note to this hearty dish. Serve hot and watch as everyone falls in love with these incredible stuffed peppers.

Flavor Tips to Amp Up Bell Peppers by Ina Garten

• Swap Out Ingredients for Delicious Twists
• Substitute Italian sausage with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier version.
• Experiment with quinoa, bulgur wheat, or cauliflower rice to add different textures and nutritional profiles.
• Try different cheese blends like provolone, parmesan, or a spicy pepper jack to create unique flavor combinations.
• Add red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, or hot sauce to increase the heat and depth of the dish's flavor profile.

Present Stuffed Peppers Like a Weeknight Showstopper

• Serve with Fresh Salad: Complement the rich, hearty stuffed peppers with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette to balance the meal's robust flavors.
• Pair with Crusty Bread: Slice some warm, rustic Italian bread to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and add a satisfying textural contrast to the dish.
• Wine Pairing Suggestion: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Sangiovese to enhance the savory Italian sausage and tomato notes in the stuffed peppers.
• Add Herb Garnish: Sprinkle extra chopped fresh parsley or basil on top for a bright, fresh finish that adds color and a burst of aromatic flavor to the plate.

Store Peppers So They Don’t Lose Their Bite

• Prep Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and cook rice mixture one day before assembly to save time during busy weeknights.
• Refrigerate Smartly: Store unused stuffed bell peppers in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days, keeping the flavors fresh and vibrant.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual peppers tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 2 months for quick future meals.
• Reheat with Care: Warm refrigerated peppers in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes, ensuring even heating throughout.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Calories: 410 kcal

Servings: 4

Get Ready to Prep Ina Garten’s Stuffed Bell Peppers

• Bell Peppers: Vibrant vessels for our delicious filling, choose firm peppers with smooth, glossy skin and no blemishes.
• Olive Oil: Adds rich flavor and helps ingredients brown beautifully, select extra virgin for best taste.

• Italian Sausage, Onion, Garlic: Powerful flavor trio that creates a savory foundation, opt for fresh sausage with robust seasoning.

• Rice: Hearty grain that absorbs flavors and provides texture, long-grain works best for even cooking.
• Marinara Sauce: Tangy tomato base that adds moisture and depth, choose a high-quality jarred sauce or homemade version.
• Chicken Broth: Enhances rice's flavor and ensures perfect moisture, low-sodium options allow better seasoning control.

• Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: Classic herb blend that elevates the entire dish's taste profile, use fresh herbs when possible.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Creamy, melty topping that creates irresistible golden crust, freshly shredded cheese melts most smoothly.
• Fresh Parsley: Bright, fresh garnish that adds color and light herbaceous note, chop just before serving.

Elegant Ina Garten Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe

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4.5 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mediterranean-inspired stuffed bell peppers deliver a perfect harmony of flavors in this classic Ina Garten recipe. Juicy peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, and herbs promise a delightful meal that brings Mediterranean warmth to your table.

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Ingredients

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• 1 lb (1 pound) Italian sausage
• 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
• 3 bell peppers, halved lengthwise and deseeded
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 tbsps (2 tablespoons) cooking oil, divided
• 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) Italian seasoning
• ½ tsp (½ teaspoon) garlic powder
• 1¼ tsps (1 ¼ teaspoons) salt, divided
• ¼ tsp (¼ teaspoon) freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cup marinara sauce
• ½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• ¾ cup chicken broth
• Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheating and Pepper Preparation: Set oven to 350°F. Slice bell peppers lengthwise, removing seeds. Arrange in baking dish, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper.
2. Meat and Aromatics Sauté: Brown Italian sausage in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until onions become translucent and fragrant.
3. Rice and Sauce Integration: Incorporate rice into sausage mixture, blending with marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and chicken broth. Bring to boil, then simmer covered for 20 minutes until rice is nearly cooked.
4. Stuffing and Cheese Topping: Remove rice mixture from heat, fluff with fork. Spoon filling into pepper halves, generously crown with mozzarella cheese.
5. Baking and Broiling: Cover baking dish with foil, bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and broil 2-3 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
6. Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over peppers. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, flavorful dish immediately.

Notes

• Pepper Preparation: Core and seed bell peppers carefully to create a sturdy vessel for the filling, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
• Sausage Selection: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for a richer, more authentic taste profile that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
• Rice Cooking Technique: Simmer rice mixture covered to lock in moisture and develop deep, integrated flavors before stuffing the peppers.
• Cheese Melting Tip: Watch broiling carefully to achieve perfect golden-brown cheese without burning, creating a deliciously crispy top layer.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 410
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 36 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 18 g
• Cholesterol: 50 mg