Description
This Stuffed Pepper Soup is a cozy, hearty comfort food that captures all the delicious flavors of classic stuffed peppers—ground beef, sweet bell peppers, and savory tomatoes—in a warm, spoonable bowl. Perfect for busy weeknights, it’s easy to prepare in one pot, the slow cooker, or the Instant Pot. A protein-packed dinner that’s family-friendly and freezer-ready!
Ingredients
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1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
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1 pound ground beef
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1 cup diced onion
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½ tablespoon minced garlic
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2 cups diced red, orange, or yellow bell peppers
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1 can (14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes
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1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
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3 cups water
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2 cups low sodium beef broth
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½ teaspoon dried parsley
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½ teaspoon dried basil
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½ teaspoon dried oregano
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¼ teaspoon black pepper
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1 bay leaf
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¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
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⅔ cup long-grain white rice
Instructions
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In a large pot over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add ground beef and cook for 10 minutes until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
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Add onion and garlic; sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant.
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Stir in bell peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, beef broth, herbs, pepper, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, and rice. Mix well.
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Cover and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes to prevent rice from sticking.
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Uncover, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 2 more minutes.
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Turn off the heat, cover, and let sit for 10 minutes so the rice finishes cooking.
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Remove the bay leaf. Serve hot with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
Substitute ground beef with turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Brown rice or cauliflower rice can be used with adjusted cooking times.
The soup thickens as it sits—add broth to loosen it when reheating.
For slow cooker: brown beef first, then cook all ingredients on low for 6–7 hours or high for 3–4 hours.
For Instant Pot: sauté beef and aromatics, then pressure cook for 10 minutes with natural release.
Freezes well in portions—add broth when reheating if needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Plats
- Method: One-Pot (compatible with Slow Cooker / Instant Pot)
- Cuisine: American