Easy Alton Brown Stuffed Peppers Recipe: Family Favorite

Alton Brown’s stuffed peppers burst with culinary magic, transforming humble ingredients into a flavor-packed sensation.

Bell peppers stand as vibrant edible vessels ready to embrace a symphony of tastes.

Robust meats and aromatic spices dance together, creating a harmonious filling that tantalizes taste buds.

Each pepper becomes a personal gourmet experience, promising comfort and nourishment in every bite.

Home cooks adore this recipe for its simplicity and adaptability to different dietary preferences.

The dish marries nutrition with incredible flavor, turning an ordinary meal into something extraordinary.

Melted cheese and perfectly seasoned ingredients guarantee a delightful dinner that will make everyone at the table cheer with excitement.

How to Cook Alton Brown’s Stuffed Peppers

• Prep Kitchen Workspace

Get your cooking area ready with all necessary tools and ingredients. Clear counter space and set up a cutting board near the stove.

• Transform Peppers

Slice bell peppers in half, removing stems and seeds. Chop pepper tops finely for extra flavor boost in the sauce preparation.

• Cook Protein Blend

Brown a mix of Italian sausage and ground beef in a large skillet. Toss in diced onions and garlic, breaking meat into small crumbles until fully cooked and no pink remains.

• Create Hearty Filling

Fold rice, chopped pepper tops, tomatoes, and seasonings into the meat mixture. Let everything simmer together, creating a rich and robust filling that will make taste buds dance.

• Assemble Stuffed Peppers

Spread a layer of marinara sauce in the baking dish. Carefully stuff each pepper half with the savory meat and rice mixture. Arrange peppers nestled closely together.

• Bake and Melt

Cover the dish with foil and slide into a preheated oven. After 35 minutes, uncover and sprinkle cheese on top. Continue baking until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

• Serve and Savor

Let the peppers rest for a few minutes after removing from the oven. Plate with a garnish of fresh herbs for a pop of color and extra flavor. Enjoy your delicious creation warm and fresh.

Flavor Boosts for Alton Brown’s Stuffed Peppers

Mix different bell pepper colors like red, yellow, and green for a vibrant presentation that adds visual appeal and subtle flavor variations.

Replace Italian sausage and ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives that keep the dish exciting.

Fold quinoa or cauliflower rice into the filling for extra nutrients and lower-carb options that maintain the recipe’s delicious core.

Experiment with additional seasonings like smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, or chipotle powder to create a personalized flavor profile that matches your taste preferences.

Presentation Ideas for Stuffed Peppers

• Pair with Fresh Salad: Complement the hearty stuffed peppers with a crisp green salad tossed in a light vinaigrette for a balanced meal.
• Add Crusty Bread: Serve alongside warm, toasted garlic bread or a rustic baguette to soak up the delicious marinara sauce.
• Enhance with Herbs: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil or parsley on top to add a bright, fresh flavor and beautiful green garnish.
• Create a Complete Meal: Accompany the peppers with a light side of roasted vegetables or a simple quinoa pilaf for added nutrition and variety.

Keeping Alton Brown’s Stuffed Peppers Tasty Longer

• Preserve Freshness: Store leftover stuffed peppers in airtight containers, keeping them refrigerated for 3-4 days. Tightly seal to maintain flavor and prevent moisture loss.
• Freeze with Ease: Wrap individual peppers in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe bags. Frozen stuffed peppers can last up to 3 months, perfect for quick future meals.
• Reheat Perfectly: Warm refrigerated peppers in the oven at 350°F for 15-20 minutes, or microwave on medium power for 2-3 minutes. Add a splash of marinara sauce to prevent drying out.
• Prep Ahead Strategy: Assemble peppers a day before baking and store covered in the refrigerator. This allows flavors to meld and saves time on busy cooking days.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Calories: 380 kcal

Servings: 4

Ingredient List for Alton Brown’s Stuffed Peppers

• Bell Peppers: Choose firm, vibrant peppers without blemishes for the best texture and flavor.
• Marinara Sauce: Select a high-quality jarred sauce or homemade for rich, authentic taste.

• Italian Sausage, Lean Ground Beef: Pick fresh, well-marbled meats for juicy, flavorful filling.
• Onion, Garlic: Select firm, aromatic onions and plump garlic cloves for maximum taste.

• Rice: Use long-grain white rice for perfect texture and absorption.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Adds depth and umami to the meat mixture.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides a classic herb blend that enhances overall flavor.
• Salt, Black Pepper: Fresh-ground pepper and quality salt elevate the entire dish.
• Diced Tomatoes: Choose canned tomatoes with rich, bright flavor.

• Shredded Cheese: Select a melty blend like mozzarella or Italian mix for golden, gooey finish.

Kitchen Equipment for Stuffed Peppers

• Large Pot: Perfect for boiling peppers and holding water.
• Skillet: Ideal for cooking meat and mixing filling ingredients.
• Wooden Spoon: Great for breaking up meat and stirring mixture.
• 9×13 Inch Baking Dish: Essential for assembling and baking stuffed peppers.
• Cutting Board: Needed for chopping peppers, onions, and garlic.
• Sharp Knife: Crucial for preparing ingredients and removing pepper stems.
• Colander: Helps drain water from boiled peppers.
• Measuring Cups: Useful for precise ingredient quantities.
• Foil: Covers dish during initial baking to prevent burning.
• Air Fryer (optional): Alternative method for preparing peppers.

Brilliant Alton Brown Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Alton Brown’s stuffed peppers blend hearty ground beef, rice, and robust seasonings in a classic comfort dish. Colorful bell peppers cradle a savory mixture that satisfies you with Mediterranean-inspired flavor profiles and simple cooking techniques.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 6 bell peppers
• 0.5 lb (226 g) lean ground beef
• 0.5 lb (226 g) Italian sausage
• 1 small onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 0.5 cup (85 g) white rice, uncooked
• 1 can (14.5 oz / 411 g) petite diced tomatoes, with juice
• 1.25 cups (296 ml) water
• 2.5 cups (600 ml) marinara sauce
• 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
• 0.5 tsp Italian seasoning
• salt and pepper to taste
• 0.5 cup (57 g) mozzarella or cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350°F and delicately coat a 9×13 inch baking vessel with culinary lubricant. Meticulously decapitate bell peppers, extracting stems for later use, and bisect lengthwise while purging seeds and internal membranes.
2. Pepper Conditioning: Immerse pepper halves in vigorously boiling water for 3-4 minutes or air fry at 400°F to achieve optimal tenderness. Thoroughly drain and pat dry with absorbent cloths.
3. Protein Foundation: In a robust skillet over medium-high thermal intensity, amalgamate Italian sausage, ground beef, aromatic onions, and pungent garlic. Deconstruct meat into diminutive fragments while orchestrating a uniform browning process.
4. Flavor Integration: Incorporate uncooked rice, liquid, chopped pepper stems, Worcestershire essence, Italian seasonings, tomato segments, salinity, and pepper into the meat blend. Reduce thermal exposure, seal skillet, and allow gentle simmering for 15-20 minutes, periodically stirring and hydrating as necessary.
5. Marinara Infusion: Integrate marinara sauce into the rice-meat symphony, then lavishly distribute initial marinara layer across baking vessel’s base. Position pepper vessels strategically, cut-side elevated.
6. Filling Deployment: Generously populate each pepper cavity with the sumptuous rice-meat amalgamation, ensuring comprehensive coverage and balanced distribution.
7. Culinary Transformation: Cascade remaining marinara over stuffed peppers, envelop with aluminum shield, and dispatch into preheated oven for 35 minutes. Unveil, adorn with cascading cheese, and return for an additional 10 minutes until cheese achieves molten, effervescent perfection.

Notes

• Blanching Tip: Quickly boil pepper halves to soften texture and reduce baking time, ensuring tender yet crisp peppers.
• Meat Drainage: Always drain excess fat after browning meat to prevent greasy, heavy filling and maintain a lighter dish.
• Rice Moisture Management: Monitor rice moisture during simmering, adding water if needed to prevent dryness and ensure perfect rice consistency.
• Cheese Melting Technique: Uncover dish for final 10 minutes to allow cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, appetizing surface.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 380
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 890 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 22 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg