Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers are a cozy, comforting dinner made with bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, Italian seasoning, and melted cheese. They cook gently in the slow cooker until the peppers are tender and the filling is warm, hearty, and flavorful.
This recipe is perfect for busy days because the slow cooker does most of the work. The filling is prepared first, then spooned into the peppers before they slowly cook to tender perfection. It is an easy family dinner that feels filling without being complicated.
Why You’ll Love These Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
- Easy slow cooker meal: Once the peppers are filled, the crockpot handles the cooking, making this a helpful dinner for busy weekdays.
- Hearty and filling: Ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and cheese make each pepper satisfying enough to serve as a full meal.
- Family-friendly flavor: The filling is savory, mild, and comforting, with simple seasonings that work well for most tastes.
- Great for meal prep: Stuffed peppers store and reheat well, so they are useful for leftovers or next-day lunches.
- Flexible ingredients: You can use ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and you can choose red, yellow, orange, or green bell peppers.
- Cheesy finish: Shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend melts on top during the final minutes of cooking.
What Makes This Recipe Special
This recipe is special because the peppers become tender and sweet as they cook slowly, while the filling stays moist and flavorful. The tomato sauce helps keep everything juicy, and the cooked rice gives the filling a soft, hearty texture.
Adding cheese at the end gives the peppers a warm, melted topping without overcooking the cheese. The result is a simple, comforting dinner that looks beautiful when served.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Main Ingredients
- Bell peppers: Use 4 to 6 medium bell peppers. Any color works, but red and yellow peppers are usually sweeter.
- Ground beef: Use 1 pound of ground beef. Ground turkey or ground chicken can also be used.
- Cooked rice: Use 2 cups of cooked rice. White rice, brown rice, or day-old rice all work well.
- Onion: One small onion adds flavor and sweetness to the filling.
- Garlic: Use 2 to 3 cloves of garlic. Add it during the last minute of cooking the meat so it does not burn.
- Tomato sauce: Use one 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Add a little extra on top if you want saucier peppers.
- Diced tomatoes: One can of diced tomatoes is optional, but it adds texture and moisture. Drain lightly if the tomatoes are very watery.
- Italian seasoning: Use 1 to 2 teaspoons for simple herb flavor.
- Salt and pepper: Add to taste after mixing the filling.
- Shredded cheese: Use 1 to 2 cups of cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend.
- Broth or water: Add 1/2 cup to the bottom of the slow cooker to help keep the peppers moist while cooking.
Best Tips Before You Start
Choose peppers that can stand upright in the slow cooker. If a pepper wobbles, trim a very thin slice from the bottom without cutting a hole through it.
Use cooked rice, not uncooked rice. Cooked rice gives the filling the right texture and helps the peppers cook evenly.
Do not overfill the peppers. Press the filling in gently, but leave a little room at the top so the mixture does not overflow as it heats.
Add the cheese near the end of cooking. This keeps it melted and fresh instead of overcooked.
How to Make Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Step 1: Prepare the Peppers
Wash the bell peppers, cut off the tops, and remove the seeds and white ribs. Set the peppers aside while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Cook the Beef
In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink and the onion has softened.
Step 3: Add the Garlic
Add the minced garlic during the last minute of cooking. Stir until fragrant, then remove the skillet from the heat.
Step 4: Drain Excess Grease
Drain excess grease from the skillet if needed. This keeps the filling from becoming too oily.
Step 5: Mix the Filling
Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes if using, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed.
Step 6: Fill the Peppers
Spoon the filling into each pepper, pressing gently so they are filled but not packed too tightly.
Step 7: Add Liquid to the Slow Cooker
Pour the broth or water into the bottom of the slow cooker. This helps create steam and keeps the peppers moist.
Step 8: Arrange the Peppers
Place the stuffed peppers upright in the slow cooker. If needed, use a small piece of foil to help support any peppers that do not stand firmly.
Step 9: Slow Cook
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours, until the peppers are tender but not falling apart.
Step 10: Add the Cheese
Sprinkle shredded cheese over the tops of the peppers during the final 10 to 20 minutes of cooking. Cover again until the cheese melts.
Step 11: Serve
Carefully remove the peppers from the slow cooker and serve warm. Spoon a little extra sauce from the bottom over the top if desired.
Recipe Tips
- Use peppers that are similar in size so they cook evenly.
- Cook the ground beef before stuffing the peppers for the best texture.
- Drain watery diced tomatoes so the filling does not become too loose.
- Use cooked rice because uncooked rice will not cook properly with this method.
- Add extra tomato sauce if you like saucier stuffed peppers.
- Use red, yellow, or orange peppers for a sweeter flavor.
- Add cheese near the end so it melts without drying out.
Substitutions and Variations
Ground Turkey Stuffed Peppers
Use ground turkey instead of ground beef for a lighter version. Add a little extra seasoning because turkey has a milder flavor.
Ground Chicken Version
Ground chicken also works well. Use enough tomato sauce and seasoning to keep the filling flavorful and moist.
Brown Rice Version
Use cooked brown rice for a heartier texture. Make sure it is fully cooked before adding it to the filling.
Extra Cheesy Stuffed Peppers
Mix a little shredded cheese into the filling before stuffing the peppers, then add more cheese on top near the end of cooking.
Spicy Stuffed Peppers
Add red pepper flakes, chili powder, or a pinch of cayenne to the filling for gentle heat.
Italian-Style Stuffed Peppers
Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef, or add extra Italian seasoning, basil, and Parmesan for a stronger Italian flavor.
Make-Ahead and Storage
You can prepare the filling ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until you are ready to stuff the peppers.
Stuffed peppers can also be assembled ahead, covered, and refrigerated. Add them to the slow cooker when ready to cook.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
To reheat, warm the peppers in the microwave or oven until heated through. Add a spoonful of tomato sauce before reheating if the filling looks dry.
What to Serve with Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Serve these stuffed peppers with a green salad, garlic bread, roasted vegetables, steamed green beans, cucumber salad, or a simple tomato salad.
They also pair well with mashed potatoes, rice, dinner rolls, corn, coleslaw, or sautéed spinach.
For a cozy family dinner, serve them with iced tea, lemonade, sparkling water, or a light dessert like banana pudding cups or cream cheese pie.
More Recipes You May Like
- Cabbage Roll Skillet
- Million Dollar Baked Ziti
- Slow Cooker Steak and Potatoes
- Chicken Broccoli Baked Alfredo
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use uncooked rice in slow cooker stuffed peppers?
For this version, cooked rice is best. Uncooked rice may not soften evenly and can make the filling too dry.
Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?
Yes. Ground turkey works well and gives the recipe a lighter flavor. Season it well so the filling stays savory.
Do I need to cook the meat first?
Yes, cooking the meat first gives the best texture and lets you drain extra grease before stuffing the peppers.
What color bell peppers are best?
Any color works. Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers have a stronger, slightly sharper flavor.
How do I keep stuffed peppers from falling over?
Choose peppers with flat bottoms when possible. If needed, use crumpled foil in the slow cooker to help support them upright.
When should I add the cheese?
Add the cheese during the final 10 to 20 minutes of cooking. This gives it time to melt without overcooking.
These Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers are hearty, cheesy, and comforting, with tender bell peppers filled with ground beef, cooked rice, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, garlic, onion, and Italian seasoning. They are an easy crockpot dinner that works well for busy weeknights, meal prep, and cozy family meals.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Instructions
- Wash the peppers, cut off the tops, and remove seeds and white ribs.
- In a skillet, cook ground beef with chopped onion until the meat is no longer pink. Add garlic last minute to avoid burning.
- Drain excess grease if necessary. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, optional diced tomatoes, and seasonings. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.
- Spoon the filling into each pepper, pressing gently to fill them without overflow.
- Pour broth or water into the bottom of the slow cooker. Arrange the peppers upright. If needed, crumple foil to support the peppers.
- Cover and cook on low for 6-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours until peppers are tender but not collapsing.
- Sprinkle cheese on top during final 10-20 minutes of cooking to melt.
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