The only recipe you’ll ever need for stuffed peppers.

Learn how to make Our Best Stuffed Peppers.

Here’s everything you’ll need for this recipe.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers in the dish ready to serve

Credit:Victor Protasio; Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer; Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Why Do Stuffed Peppers Take So Long To Cook?

This recipe calls for a higher temperature, but it also calls to cover the peppers.

This results in a softer pepper in a shorter amount of time.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Bell Peppers ingredients

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Try a simple green salad with vinaigrette or acucumber and tomato saladfor fresh contrast.

Can You Make Stuffed Peppers Ahead of Time?

)cans tomato sauce

1(1-oz.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers preparing the peppers

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

)can black beans, drained and rinsed

1cupfrozen corn, thawed

1(8.8-oz.)pkg.

Cut tops off peppers, and set aside.

Remove and discard seeds from peppers; sprinkle interiors of peppers with 3/4 teaspoon of the salt.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers preparing the tomato sauce

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Stir together tomato sauce and taco seasoning.

Cook beef mixture:

Heat a large skillet over medium-high.

Stir in beans, corn, and 1 cup of the tomato mixture; reduce heat to medium.

Southern Living Stuffed Bell Peppers cooking the onions and beef

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Simmer, stirring often, until flavors meld and sauce is mostly absorbed, about 2 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in rice until well combined.

Stuff peppers:

Spoon about 1 cup of the rice mixture into each pepper.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers preparing the filling

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Spread remaining 2 cups sauce into skillet or a 13- x 9-inch baking dish.

Add filled peppers to skillet or baking dish, tuck tops in between peppers.

Cover tightly with foil.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers ready to bake

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Bake peppers:

Bake in preheated oven until peppers are fork-tender, 35 to 45 minutes.

Remove foil and sprinkle with cheese blend.

Bake until cheese has melted, 3 to 5 minutes.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers covering the pan with foil

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Garnish with cilantro and serve.

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers after baking before adding the cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Stuffed Bell Peppers sprinkling with cheese

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Southern Living Our Best Stuffed Peppers after baking with the cheese on top

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox