Costco Recipes

Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe

This Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe is a cheesy and flavorful recipe, which is made with ground beef and rice. It’s the perfect weeknight dinner, ready in about 1 hour and 25 minutes.

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Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 onion, diced
  • 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
  • 24 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce (like Rao’s Homemade Marinara)
  • 6 bell peppers, any color
  • 1/2 cup uncooked white or Basmati rice
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup water or beef broth
  • salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1 1/3 cup grated or shredded Parmesan cheese
  • fresh parsley for garnish (optional)

How To Make Costco Stuffed Peppers

  1. Prepare the Peppers and Oven: Preheat the oven to 375°F. Cut the tops off the 6 bell peppers. Remove and discard the stems, ribs, and seeds. Finely chop the usable pepper tops and set aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and the chopped pepper tops and sauté for about 3 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until it’s no longer pink. Drain off any excess grease.
  3. Cook the Filling: Stir about 14 ounces (a little more than half the jar) of the spaghetti sauce into the meat mixture. Add the salt, uncooked rice, and water (or beef broth). Bring to a simmer, then cover, reduce the heat to low, and cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
  4. Finish the Filling: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in one cup of the Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and combined. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  5. Stuff the Peppers: Divide the beef and rice filling evenly among the prepared bell peppers.
  6. Arrange and Bake: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour the remaining spaghetti sauce from the jar around the base of the peppers.
  7. Bake the Peppers: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
  8. Add Final Topping: Carefully remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/3 cup of Parmesan cheese over the top of the peppers. Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  9. Garnish and Serve: Let the peppers rest for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley, if using, and serve hot.
Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Recipe Tips

  • How do I keep my peppers from being too firm? The 40-minute covered baking time is key to steaming the peppers and making them tender. If you prefer very soft peppers, you can blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes before stuffing and baking.
  • Can I use a different kind of rice? Yes. Brown rice is a great option, but it will require a longer cooking time. It’s best to cook the brown rice separately according to package directions and then stir it into the cooked meat mixture.
  • Can I make these ahead of time? Absolutely. You can fully assemble the stuffed peppers in the baking dish, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. You may need to add 10-15 minutes to the covered baking time when cooking from cold.
  • How do I get the cheese extra bubbly and brown? For a golden, bubbly top, you can switch the oven to the broil setting for the final 1-2 minutes of cooking. Watch it very carefully to prevent it from burning.

What To Serve With Stuffed Peppers

These stuffed peppers are a well-rounded meal on their own, but they also pair nicely with:

  • A simple Caesar salad or a crisp green salad.
  • Crusty garlic bread for soaking up the extra sauce.
  • Roasted or steamed green beans.

How To Store Stuffed Peppers

Store: Place leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat: For best results, reheat the peppers in a 350°F oven for 15-20 minutes, or until warmed through. You can also reheat individual portions in the microwave.

Stuffed Peppers Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: ~480 kcal per pepper
  • Protein: 30g
  • Fat: 25g
  • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Sugar: 15g

Nutrition information is estimated and may vary based on ingredients and cooking methods used.

FAQs

Can I make these low-carb?

Yes. To make a low-carb version, you can substitute the rice with an equal amount of cooked cauliflower rice. You won’t need to add the extra water or simmer the filling; just mix the cauliflower rice into the cooked meat mixture.

What kind of ground meat is best?

Lean ground beef (85/15 or 90/10) is a great choice. Ground turkey, ground chicken, or even Italian sausage (with the casings removed) would also be delicious.

Can I freeze stuffed peppers?

Yes, they freeze very well. For best results, assemble and bake the peppers completely, then let them cool. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and foil and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the oven.

Costco Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Recipe by LuluCourse: DinnerCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

20

minutes
Cooking time

1

hour 

5

minutes
Calories

480

kcal

Tender bell peppers are filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and Parmesan cheese, then baked in a rich marinara sauce for a perfect copycat of the Costco classic.

Ingredients

  • 6 bell peppers

  • 1 Tbsp olive oil

  • 1/2 onion, diced

  • 1 lb ground beef

  • 24 oz jar spaghetti sauce

  • 1/2 cup uncooked white rice

  • 1/2 cup water or beef broth

  • 1 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, divided

  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds; chop the tops for the filling.
  • Sauté onion and chopped pepper tops. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
  • Stir in about 14 oz of spaghetti sauce, rice, water, and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes until rice is tender.
  • Stir 1 cup of Parmesan cheese into the filling.
  • Stuff the peppers with the mixture and place them in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour remaining sauce around them.
  • Cover with foil and bake for 40 minutes until peppers are tender.
  • Uncover, top with the remaining 1/3 cup Parmesan, and bake for 5 more minutes.

Notes

  • For softer peppers, you can blanch them in boiling water for 3-4 minutes before stuffing.
  • This recipe is great for meal prep; assemble the peppers a day ahead and bake when ready.
  • Using a high-quality marinara sauce will elevate the flavor of the dish.
  • Rely on a meat thermometer for guaranteed perfect results. Remove the roast from the oven when it’s 5-10°F below your final target temperature.

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