Recipe
Instant Pot Italian Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Published: April 1, 2024
These Italian stuffed peppers are my go-to comfort food. I love the juicy beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese combo. They're easy to whip up in my Instant Pot too!
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Ever dug into a bell pepper bursting with savory flavors? Picture this - an Italian stuffed pepper recipe that's gonna knock your socks off. Cooked rice mixed with ground beef, seasoned to perfection, all housed in a vibrant bell pepper. Topped off with bubbling, melty mozzarella - it's a sight for sore eyes and a feast for the stomach. It's time to roll up those sleeves, fire up that instant pot, and let's get cooking!
Ingredients for Delicious Italian Stuffed Peppers
- Bell peppers: Sweet and colorful, bell peppers provide a crunchy vessel for the flavorful stuffing, adding a vibrant touch to the dish.
- Ground beef: Juicy and savory, ground beef is the hearty base of the stuffing, infusing the peppers with rich meaty flavor.
- Cooked rice: Tender and fluffy, cooked rice adds a comforting texture to the stuffing, making it more satisfying and filling.
- Diced tomatoes: Tangy and juicy, diced tomatoes bring a burst of freshness and acidity to the stuffing, enhancing its overall flavor.
- Italian seasoning: A blend of aromatic herbs, Italian seasoning infuses the dish with classic Italian flavors, adding depth and complexity.
- Garlic powder: Pungent and aromatic, garlic powder elevates the stuffing with a robust garlic flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
- Mozzarella cheese: Stretchy and gooey when melted, mozzarella cheese crowns the stuffed peppers with a cheesy, golden-brown crust, adding richness.
When making these Italian stuffed peppers, try using different colored bell peppers for a vibrant and visually appealing dish.
Essential Tools for Making Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers
- Instant Pot: Cooks the stuffed peppers quickly and efficiently.
- Knife: Used to cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- Bowl: To mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and seasonings.
- Trivet: Keeps the stuffed peppers elevated above the water while cooking in the Instant Pot.
- Measuring cup: Ensures accurate measurement of ingredients like rice and water.
Common Questions About Making Instant Pot Italian Stuffed Peppers
Serves: 4 people
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions:
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- In a bowl, mix together the ground beef, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the bell peppers with the beef and rice mixture.
- Pour 1 cup of water into the Instant Pot and place the trivet inside.
- Arrange the stuffed peppers on the trivet.
- Close the Instant Pot lid and set the valve to sealing. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes.
- Once done, do a quick pressure release and carefully open the lid.
- Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top of the stuffed peppers and close the lid for a few minutes to melt the cheese.
- Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Read more: Air Fryer Pepper Jack Stuffed Porkys Recipe
Nutritional value:
Per Serving in Calories: 420 kcal | Carbohydrates: 20 g | Protein: 25 g | Total Fat: 26 g | Saturated Fat: 11 g | Trans Fat: 1 g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10 g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2 g | Cholesterol: 80 mg | Sodium: 600 mg | Dietary Fiber: 3 g | Sugar: 6 g | Calcium: 250 mg | Potassium: 600 mg | Iron: 4 mg | Vitamin A: 1000 µg | Vitamin C: 60 mg
Tips for Preparing and Storing Italian Stuffed Peppers
Make Ahead Instructions
- Prepare the stuffed peppers as instructed but do not cook them in the instant pot.
- Store the uncooked stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- When ready to cook, follow the cooking instructions in the recipe.
Freezing Instructions
- Prepare the stuffed peppers but do not cook them in the instant pot.
- Place the uncooked stuffed peppers in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid.
- Transfer the frozen stuffed peppers to a freezer-safe bag or container.
- Label with the date and freeze for up to 3 months.
- When ready to cook, follow the cooking instructions in the recipe, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
