Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers (Print)

Bell peppers filled with hearty Sloppy Joe beef, topped with cheddar for a warm, easy dinner.

# Components:

→ Produce

01 - 4 large bell peppers, tops removed and seeds discarded
02 - 1 small onion, finely diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meat & Poultry

04 - 1 pound ground beef

→ Pantry Staples

05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce (gluten-free if necessary)
08 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 1 tablespoon olive oil

→ Dairy

14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bring a large pot of salted water to a rolling boil. Submerge bell peppers and blanch for 3 minutes. Remove from water and drain thoroughly, invert on paper towels.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté for 3 minutes until softened. Incorporate minced garlic and cook for an additional 30 seconds until fragrant.
03 - Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook, breaking apart the meat with a spoon, until thoroughly browned, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess rendered fat.
04 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, allowing the mixture to thicken.
05 - Arrange blanched peppers upright in a baking dish. Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture generously into each pepper. Top each filled pepper with shredded cheddar cheese. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden brown.
06 - Allow the stuffed peppers to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Ready in just one hour
  • Uses simple pantry staples you likely already have
  • Perfect make-ahead meal for busy weeknights
  • Naturally gluten-free with one simple swap
  • Kid-approved but sophisticated enough for adults
02 -
  • Each stuffed pepper contains a full serving of vegetables
  • Perfect for meal prep as they reheat beautifully
  • Great way to introduce vegetables to picky eaters
  • Can be prepared ahead and baked just before serving
03 -
  • Choose peppers that stand upright easily to prevent filling from spilling during baking
  • For a crisp-tender texture, reduce blanching time to 2 minutes
  • Let peppers rest 5 minutes before serving to allow juices to redistribute and prevent burning your mouth

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