Zesty Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Recipe: Homemade Joy

Bell peppers nestled with savory Instant Pot stuffed peppers promise a quick dinner solution that will make you smile.

Colorful vegetables create a canvas for hearty fillings packed with flavor and nutrition.

My grandmother’s technique inspired this streamlined approach to a classic comfort meal.

Sharp spices and tender meat blend seamlessly inside each vibrant pepper shell.

Weekend meal prep becomes effortless when you leverage pressure cooking magic.

Cooking times shrink dramatically compared to traditional oven methods.

Hungry friends and curious cooks will adore this simple yet impressive dish that comes together in minutes.

Stuffed Peppers Storage Made Simple

• Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep refrigerated for up to 3-4 days.
• Wrap individual peppers tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer bags. Freeze for maximum 2 months. Label with date for easy tracking.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place peppers in baking dish, cover with foil, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated through. Add fresh cheese on top if desired.
• Place pepper on microwave-safe plate, cover with damp paper towel. Heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes, checking midway to ensure even warming.

Stuffed Peppers: What to Serve Alongside

• Savor Complementary Wine Pairings: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Chianti or Zinfandel to match the hearty meat and rich tomato flavors of the stuffed peppers.
• Enhance with Fresh Side Salad: Create a crisp mixed green salad with light vinaigrette to balance the robust and savory filling, cutting through the richness of the dish.
• Boost Flavor with Garlic Bread: Serve warm, crusty garlic bread as a perfect accompaniment to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and add extra texture to the meal.
• Refresh with Herb-Infused Sparkling Water: Prepare a sparkling water with fresh mint or basil leaves to cleanse the palate and provide a light, refreshing contrast to the heavy stuffed peppers.

Stuffed Peppers In The Instant Pot: Different Takes To Explore

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground meat with quinoa, black beans, or lentils for a protein-packed plant-based version. Add nutritional yeast for cheesy flavor.
• Keto-Friendly Remix: Swap rice with cauliflower rice and use ground turkey or beef. Reduce tomato sauce and add extra low-carb vegetables like zucchini or spinach.
• Mediterranean Makeover: Incorporate feta cheese, chopped olives, and fresh herbs like oregano. Use lamb instead of traditional ground beef for an authentic Mediterranean taste.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Mix in jalapeños, use pepper jack cheese, and add taco seasoning. Top with cilantro and serve with a side of salsa for extra heat and flavor.

FAQs

• Can I use different types of meat for the filling?

Yes, you can swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based meat alternatives to suit your dietary preferences or taste.

• Do I need to pre-cook the rice before mixing it into the filling?

It’s recommended to use pre-cooked rice to ensure even cooking and prevent undercooked grains in the final dish.

• What if I don't have an Instant Pot?

You can make stuffed peppers in an oven by baking at 375°F for about 35-40 minutes, or in a slow cooker on low for 6-7 hours.

• How do I prevent my peppers from becoming soggy?

Choose firm bell peppers, avoid overfilling them, and don’t add too much liquid to maintain a good texture during cooking.

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Are Fast, Flavorful, and Filling

Quick Kitchen Magic: Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Delights

• Speed Superstar: Transforms traditional slow-cooking into a lightning-fast 15-minute meal perfect for busy weeknights.
• Nutrition Powerhouse: Combines lean protein, whole grains, and colorful vegetables in one satisfying, balanced dish that delivers maximum flavor and health benefits.
• Crowd-Pleasing Comfort: Delivers a versatile, kid-friendly meal that feels like a homemade classic while being incredibly easy to customize with different meats, seasonings, or vegetarian alternatives.

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Ingredient List

• Bell Peppers: Classic vegetable base perfect for stuffing, select firm and vibrant peppers with thick walls for best results.
• Ground Meat: Protein-rich filling that provides hearty flavor, choose lean beef, turkey, or mix for balanced taste.
• Rice: Fluffy starch component that helps bind the filling, use long-grain white or brown rice for best texture.

• Italian Seasoning: Herb blend that adds Mediterranean warmth, provides depth and complexity to the filling.
• Salt and Pepper: Essential flavor boosters that enhance overall taste profile.
• Garlic: Aromatic ingredient that introduces robust, sharp flavor to the filling.
• Onion: Provides sweet and savory undertones to the meat mixture.

• Tomato Sauce: Rich, smooth coating that adds moisture and tangy flavor to stuffed peppers.
• Water or Broth: Essential cooking liquid that creates steam and prevents burning in Instant Pot.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and bright acidic notes to the filling mixture.

• Cheese: Melty, optional garnish that adds creamy richness when sprinkled on warm peppers.

Stuffed Peppers Instant Pot Steps

Step 1: Prepare Colorful Bell Peppers

Grab vibrant bell peppers and slice off their tops.

Carefully remove all seeds and inner membranes, creating perfect vessels for your delicious filling.

Rinse peppers under cool water and pat dry with paper towels.

Step 2: Create Flavorful Meat Mixture

• Ground beef
• Cooked white rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Finely chopped onions
• Minced garlic
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed.

Step 3: Pack Peppers with Delicious Filling

Generously spoon the meat mixture into each pepper shell.

Gently press down to ensure peppers are completely filled but not overly packed.

Step 4: Prepare Instant Pot

Pour water or chicken broth into the Instant Pot base.

Place the metal trivet inside to elevate the peppers during cooking.

Step 5: Cook With Precision

Carefully position stuffed peppers on the trivet.

Drizzle tomato sauce over each pepper.

Lock the Instant Pot lid and set to high pressure for 10 minutes.

Allow natural pressure release for 5 minutes, then carefully quick release remaining pressure.

Step 6: Serve and Garnish

Gently transfer peppers to serving plates.

Optional: Sprinkle shredded cheese on top while peppers are still steaming hot.

Enjoy your perfectly cooked stuffed peppers!

Time-Saving Stuffed Pepper Tips for Instant Pot Meals

• Remove seeds and membranes gently to keep pepper structure intact for perfect stuffing.
• Use lean ground meat and mix ingredients thoroughly to ensure even flavor distribution throughout filling.
• Select firm, vibrant bell peppers and high-quality ground meat for maximum taste and nutrition.
• Don't overfill peppers with liquid ingredients to prevent soggy texture and maintain structural integrity.
• Sprinkle cheese immediately after cooking so it melts beautifully and adds creamy richness to the dish.

Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.5 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty instant pot stuffed peppers bring Italian comfort right to dinner tables with minimal effort. Perfectly seasoned ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese create a simple yet satisfying meal packed with robust flavors you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 6 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
• 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes, drained

Aromatics and Seasonings:

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Optional Topping:

• 1 cup shredded cheese
• 1 cup water or beef broth (for the Instant Pot)

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Instructions

1. Meticulously cleanse bell peppers by trimming their tops and extracting seeds and inner membranes, creating pristine vessels for the upcoming flavor-packed filling.
2. Craft a tantalizing mixture by blending ground protein, fluffy rice grains, vibrant diced tomatoes, aromatic onions, pungent garlic, herbaceous Italian seasoning, and a delicate balance of salt and pepper until ingredients harmonize into a cohesive filling.
3. Gently nestle the prepared filling into each pepper shell, applying light pressure to ensure a compact yet tender composition.
4. Establish a foundational liquid environment within the Instant Pot by pouring broth or water, then positioning the trivet as a supportive platform for the peppers.
5. Artfully arrange the stuffed peppers atop the trivet, cascading rich tomato sauce over each vibrant vessel.
6. Secure the Instant Pot lid, programming a high-pressure cooking cycle lasting ten minutes, followed by a natural pressure release of five minutes and a swift manual pressure elimination.
7. Delicately extract the peppers from their cooking chamber, allowing residual heat to melt optional cheese toppings, creating a luscious final presentation ready to be savored immediately.

Notes

• Choose bell peppers with sturdy, even sides to ensure they stand upright and cook uniformly in the Instant Pot.
• Mix ground meat thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly and prevent dense clumps in the filling.
• Opt for lean ground meat like turkey or chicken to reduce overall fat content and create a healthier version of the dish.
• Experiment with alternative grains like quinoa or cauliflower rice for gluten-free or low-carb dietary needs, maintaining the same delicious flavor profile.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Pressure Cooking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 32 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 24 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg