Pizza-Stuffed Peppers: Ditch Sad Pizza Tonight

Tired of the same old pizza night routine? Me too! That’s why I’m absolutely *buzzing* to share my recipe for Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella. Seriously, these are a game-changer. It’s all the fun of pizza, but snuggled inside a sweet bell pepper. Talk about a family-friendly win! Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get some extra veggies into the mix – and who doesn’t love that?

Now, I’m Maxine, from Asheville, NC, and cooking is kinda my thing. I run a little supper club here and teach cooking classes, but honestly, my real education started in my grandma’s kitchen. She could whip up a feast out of practically nothing, and everything she made was just pure love on a plate. She always said, “Maxine, food’s meant to be shared!” And that’s what I’m hoping to do here – share a little bit of that joy with you. These Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella are inspired by her spirit of making simple ingredients into something truly special.

Why You’ll Love These Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Quick, Easy, and Delicious Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Let’s be real, weeknights are *hectic*. This recipe is ready in about an hour, start to finish! And trust me, it’s mostly hands-off baking time. You’ll have dinner on the table before you can even say “pepperoni!” Plus, clean-up’s a breeze – always a win, right?

A Healthier Twist on Pizza

Okay, pizza’s amazing, but sometimes you crave something a little… less guilty. These peppers are packed with veggies, and you can totally customize the filling to your liking! Load ’em up with extra veggies, swap out the meat – it’s all good! It’s a pizza-ish experience you can feel good about.

Family-Friendly Fun

Getting the whole family to agree on dinner? Now *that’s* a challenge! But these Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella? They’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. Even picky eaters can get on board with pizza flavors. And hey, maybe they won’t even notice they’re eating a whole bell pepper! Sneaky, I know. 😉

The Best Ingredients for Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Peppers

You’ll want 4 bell peppers, halved and seeded. I love using a mix of colors – red, yellow, and orange – ’cause it makes the dish so pretty! But hey, green works too. Whatever you’ve got!

Meat

Grab a pound of ground beef or Italian sausage. I usually go for sausage ’cause it gives it that extra *oomph*, but honestly, both are delish. Just make sure you drain off any extra grease after browning, okay?

Pepperoni

Half a cup of chopped pepperoni is what you need. Little pepperoni, big pepperoni… doesn’t matter! Just chop it up and get ready for that classic pizza flavor.

Rice/Quinoa

A cup of cooked rice or quinoa acts as the base for our filling. It soaks up all those yummy pizza flavors! I usually have leftover rice hanging around, so that’s my go-to.

Tomato Sauce

One 15-ounce can of tomato sauce. Nothing fancy needed here – just plain ol’ tomato sauce. This is what brings the whole “pizza” thing together, ya know?

Seasoning

Gotta have some seasoning! We’re talking a teaspoon of Italian seasoning, half a teaspoon of garlic powder, and then salt and pepper to taste. Don’t be shy with the seasoning, folks!

Cheese

Two cups of shredded mozzarella cheese – the star of the show! I mean, what’s pizza without cheese? Grab a good quality mozzarella for the best melty, gooey goodness.

Optional Toppings

Olives, mushrooms, onions… whatever your pizza-lovin’ heart desires! Seriously, get creative here. This is where you can really make these Pizza-Stuffed Peppers *your* own!

How To Make Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Preparing the Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella Filling

Alright, let’s get this show on the road! Grab a big skillet and toss it over medium heat. Crumble in your ground beef or Italian sausage (whichever you’re feeling!), and let it brown up real good. Don’t forget to break it up with a spoon as it cooks, ya know? Once it’s browned, pour off any extra grease – nobody wants greasy peppers!

Now, dump in that chopped pepperoni, cooked rice or quinoa, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Give it all a good stir so everything’s mixed together. Mmm, bet it smells amazing already! This is where the magic happens, folks.

Stuffing and Baking your Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). While that’s heating up, grab your halved and seeded bell peppers. Spoon that yummy meat and rice mixture into each pepper half, packing it in there good! Don’t be shy – we want ’em stuffed!

Place those stuffed peppers in a baking dish and cover the whole thing with aluminum foil. This is important! The foil helps steam the peppers so they get nice and tender. Pop ’em in the oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, take off the foil and sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese over the top of each pepper. Back into the oven they go for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is all melted, bubbly, and golden brown. Ooh, that’s what we’re talkin’ about!

Serving and Enjoying your Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Carefully take the baking dish out of the oven (careful, it’s hot!). Let the peppers cool down for a few minutes before you dig in – nobody wants a burnt tongue! If you’re feeling fancy, garnish with your favorite pizza toppings. A sprinkle of fresh basil? Yes, please! A few olives? Absolutely! These Pizza-Stuffed Peppers are fantastic on their own, but they’re also great with a side salad or some garlic bread. Enjoy, y’all!

Tips for Perfect Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Ingredient Swaps for Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Okay, so maybe you’re not a pepperoni fan (gasp!). No worries! You can totally swap it out for ground turkey, diced ham, or even some mushrooms for a vegetarian twist. And if mozzarella isn’t your cheese of choice? Provolone, cheddar, even a little parmesan would be yummy! As for the sauce, marinara or a spicy arrabbiata would work great. Get creative!

Don’t Overfill the Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

I know it’s tempting to pile that filling high – believe me, I get it! But resist the urge! You wanna leave a little room at the top for that glorious mozzarella cheese to melt and bubble. Plus, overfilling can make the peppers a bit unstable while baking, and nobody wants a pepper explosion in the oven!

Get Creative with Toppings on you Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

This is where you can really let your inner pizzaiolo shine! Think beyond the basics, folks! How about some sliced black olives? Or maybe some sautéed mushrooms and onions? A sprinkle of red pepper flakes for a kick? Don’t be afraid to experiment and find your perfect pizza pepper combo!

Variations for Your Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Vegetarian Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Skip the meat altogether and load these babies up with veggies! Diced zucchini, bell peppers (more peppers!), mushrooms… you name it! Sauté them up before adding them to the tomato sauce mixture. Trust me, you won’t even miss the meat!

Spicy Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Want to kick things up a notch? I’m talkin’ some *serious* flavor? Toss a pinch (or two!) of red pepper flakes into the filling. Or, for a real fiery twist, drizzle a little hot sauce over the peppers before baking. Ooh, yeah! 🔥

Different Cheese Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Mozzarella’s classic, sure, but why not mix it up a bit? Provolone melts beautifully and has a lovely mild flavor. Parmesan adds a salty, nutty kick. Cheddar? Hey, if you like cheddar on your pizza, go for it! It’s *your* pizza pepper party!

Serving Suggestions for Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Complementary Sides

These Pizza-Stuffed Peppers are pretty darn satisfying on their own, but a little something on the side never hurts, right? A simple side salad with a vinaigrette is always a winner. Or how about some garlicky bread to soak up all that yummy sauce? Roasted vegetables would also be a fantastic, healthy addition!

Storing & Reheating Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Storage Instructions

Got leftovers? Lucky you! Just pop those Pizza-Stuffed Peppers into an airtight container and stash ’em in the fridge. They’ll keep for about 3-4 days. Perfect for lunch the next day!

Reheating Instructions

When you’re ready to dig in again, you can either reheat them in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 15-20 minutes, or zap ’em in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Oven’s best for that melty cheese, but microwave’s quick and easy!

Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella FAQs

Can I make Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella ahead of time?

Absolutely! This is a *fantastic* meal prep recipe. You can totally make the filling a day or two in advance and keep it in the fridge. Then, when you’re ready to bake, just stuff the peppers and pop ’em in the oven. Easy peasy!

Can I freeze Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella?

Yep, you sure can! If you’ve got leftovers, or you wanna make a big batch to freeze for future dinners, just let the peppers cool completely, then wrap them individually in plastic wrap and pop ’em in a freezer bag. They’ll keep for up to 2-3 months. When you’re ready to eat, thaw them overnight in the fridge and then bake as directed. They might be a *tad* softer than fresh, but still delicious!

How do I prevent the peppers from becoming soggy when making Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella?

Ah, the dreaded soggy pepper! Nobody wants that! The key is to not overcook them. Covering them with foil for the first part of baking helps them steam, but removing the foil for the last bit allows the moisture to evaporate. Also, draining any excess grease from the meat filling is super important. Soggy peppers? Not on my watch!

Nutritional Information for Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella

Heads up, y’all! Nutritional info can vary *a lot* depending on the brands and ingredients you use. So, I can’t guarantee exact numbers here!

Rate this Pizza-Stuffed Peppers with Pepperoni & Mozzarella Recipe

Loved it? Hated it? Let me know what you think! Give this recipe a rating and share your thoughts in the comments below. I wanna hear all about your pizza pepper adventures!

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