Description
These Easy Air Fryer Stuffed Bell Peppers are a quick and delicious meal perfect for weeknight dinners. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melted colby jack cheese, these stuffed peppers are cooked to perfection in the air fryer, delivering a flavorful and satisfying dish with minimal effort and time.
Ingredients
Scale
Bell Peppers
- 4 bell peppers (tops removed and cored)
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
Tomato Mixture
- 15 oz diced tomatoes (such as Hunt’s)
- 8 oz tomato sauce
Grains and Seasonings
- 2 cups cooked rice (cooled to room temperature)
- 1.5 tbsp olive oil (extra virgin, e.g., Bertolli)
- 1.5 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1.5 tsp garlic powder
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Cheese
- 2.25 cups Colby Jack cheese, freshly shredded
Instructions
- Prepare the Peppers: Remove the tops and cores from the 4 bell peppers, setting the tops aside and making sure the peppers are hollowed out and ready to be stuffed.
- Sauté Onion and Ground Beef: Heat 1.5 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add finely chopped onion and sauté until translucent. Add 1 lb ground beef and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks.
- Add Tomatoes and Seasonings: Stir in 15 oz diced tomatoes and 8 oz tomato sauce to the cooked beef mixture. Season with 1.5 tbsp Italian seasoning, 1.5 tsp garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes. Simmer for 5-7 minutes to combine flavors and slightly thicken the sauce.
- Mix in Rice: Remove the beef mixture from heat and fold in 2 cups cooked rice that has been cooled to room temperature, ensuring everything is well combined.
- Stuff the Peppers: Generously fill each hollowed bell pepper with the beef, tomato, and rice mixture. Place the stuffed peppers upright in the air fryer basket or tray.
- Add Cheese: Top each stuffed pepper with the freshly shredded Colby Jack cheese, about 2.25 cups total divided over four peppers.
- Air Fry the Peppers: Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C). Cook the stuffed peppers for approximately 12-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Carefully remove the peppers from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your quick, flavorful stuffed bell peppers!
Notes
- Use freshly shredded cheese rather than pre-shredded for better melting results.
- Cook rice in advance and allow it to cool to avoid soggy stuffing.
- Feel free to adjust the seasoning according to your taste preferences.
- Ensure the stuffed peppers fit comfortably in your air fryer basket without overcrowding for even cooking.
- You can swap ground beef for ground turkey or a plant-based substitute to customize the dish.
