Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Featured in: Lazy Day Comforts

These bell peppers are filled with a savory blend of ground beef, tomato sauce, and spices, baked until tender. The preparation includes sautéing onion and garlic, cooking beef until browned, then mixing in aromatic seasonings and tomato paste. The mixture is stuffed into hollowed bell peppers and baked covered, then optionally topped with melted cheddar cheese for added richness. This dish offers a hearty, flavorful meal with simple ingredients and an easy cooking process, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Updated on Thu, 20 Nov 2025 11:36:00 GMT
Savory Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers, brimming with ground beef and cheese, ready to serve for dinner. Pin It
Savory Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers, brimming with ground beef and cheese, ready to serve for dinner. | dudesnack.com

A flavorful twist on classic Sloppy Joes, these bell peppers are filled with a savory ground beef mixture in a tangy sauce—perfect for a hearty, budget-friendly dinner.

The first time I made these stuffed peppers, my family couldn't get enough of the tangy, savory filling. It's become a favorite for busy nights when I want something comforting yet simple.

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Ingredients

  • Bell peppers: 4 large, any color, tops cut off and seeds removed
  • Onion: 1 small, finely chopped
  • Garlic: 2 cloves, minced
  • Lean ground beef: 1 lb (450 g)
  • Tomato sauce: 1 cup (240 ml)
  • Tomato paste: 2 tbsp
  • Worcestershire sauce: 2 tbsp
  • Brown sugar: 1 tbsp
  • Smoked paprika: 1 tsp
  • Chili powder: 1/2 tsp
  • Salt: 1/2 tsp
  • Black pepper: 1/4 tsp
  • Olive oil: 1 tbsp
  • Shredded cheddar cheese: 1/2 cup (60 g), optional
  • Fresh parsley: Chopped, optional for garnish

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Instructions

Prep Oven and Peppers:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the prepared bell peppers upright in a baking dish.
Cook Filling:
Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
Brown Beef:
Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
Season and Simmer:
Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes.
Stuff Peppers:
Spoon the Sloppy Joe mixture evenly into each bell pepper.
Bake Covered:
Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
Add Cheese and Finish Baking:
Remove foil, sprinkle with cheddar cheese if using, and bake uncovered for 5 minutes until cheese is melted and peppers are tender.
Serve:
Garnish with chopped parsley if desired. Serve warm.
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My kids love helping to fill the peppers before they go into the oven, and sharing a hearty meal together always makes the evening feel special.

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Serving Suggestions

Pair these stuffed peppers with a fresh green salad or a slice of crusty bread for a complete dinner.

Nutrition Information

Each serving provides about 325 calories with 16 g fat, 22 g carbs, and 23 g protein.

Allergen Notes

This dish contains dairy and may contain gluten or fish from Worcestershire sauce—always check ingredient labels to fit dietary needs.

Baked Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers, bubbling with a rich tomato sauce and tender, colorful bell peppers. Pin It
Baked Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers, bubbling with a rich tomato sauce and tender, colorful bell peppers. | dudesnack.com

This crowd-pleasing recipe makes dinner easy and delicious. Try with different cheeses or spice blends for a fun twist.

Recipe Questions & Answers

Can I use other meats instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey or chicken work well as lighter alternatives while maintaining flavor.

How can I make this dish vegetarian?

Replace the meat with plant-based mince and use vegan cheese to suit vegetarian preferences.

What type of bell peppers are best?

Large bell peppers of any color work great; they should be sturdy enough to hold the filling during baking.

Is it possible to add grains to the filling?

Yes, cooked rice or quinoa can be stirred into the filling for extra bulk and nutrition.

How do I know when the peppers are done baking?

Bake until peppers are tender but still hold their shape, usually about 25 minutes covered, then 5–7 minutes uncovered if adding cheese.

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Sloppy Joe Stuffed Peppers

Bell peppers packed with savory ground beef and rich tomato sauce for a satisfying dinner option.

Prep Time
15 minutes
Time to Cook
35 minutes
Overall Time
50 minutes
Created by Jake Anderson

Recipe Category Lazy Day Comforts

Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type American

Output 4 Portion Size

Diet Preferences None specified

What You'll Need

Vegetables

01 4 large bell peppers, tops cut off and seeds removed
02 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 2 cloves garlic, minced

Meat

01 1 lb lean ground beef

Sauce & Seasonings

01 1 cup tomato sauce
02 2 tbsp tomato paste
03 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
04 1 tbsp brown sugar
05 1 tsp smoked paprika
06 ½ tsp chili powder
07 ½ tsp salt
08 ¼ tsp black pepper

Other

01 1 tbsp olive oil
02 ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
03 Fresh parsley, chopped (optional garnish)

How to Make It

Step 01

Preheat Oven: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 02

Prepare Peppers: Place bell peppers upright in a baking dish.

Step 03

Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until softened, approximately 3 minutes. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.

Step 04

Cook Ground Beef: Add ground beef to skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5–7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.

Step 05

Combine Sauce Ingredients: Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer mixture for 5 minutes to blend flavors.

Step 06

Stuff Peppers: Spoon beef mixture evenly into each bell pepper.

Step 07

Bake Covered: Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Step 08

Bake Uncovered: Remove foil, sprinkle with cheddar cheese if using, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–7 minutes, until cheese melts and peppers are tender.

Step 09

Garnish and Serve: Garnish with chopped parsley if desired and serve warm.

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Gear Needed

  • Large skillet
  • Baking dish
  • Knife and cutting board
  • Spoon

Allergy Details

Always review all ingredients for allergens before starting. Check with a health specialist if uncertain.
  • Contains dairy from cheddar cheese. Worcestershire sauce may contain fish, gluten, or soy; verify labels for allergens.

Nutrition Details (per portion)

Nutrition info is for guidance and isn't a substitute for professional advice.
  • Calorie Count: 325
  • Fats: 16 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Proteins: 23 g

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