This Stuffed Pepper Soup is your shortcut to the beloved comfort of classic stuffed peppers—without any of the fuss. It brings together everything you love: tender ground beef, fragrant peppers, soft rice, and sharp white Cheddar, all simmered into a warming and delicious one-pot meal.
Perfect for busy nights or cozy weekends, this dish transforms pantry staples into a soul-satisfying bowl of comfort. The flavors meld beautifully in the simmer, making it even better the next day. Top with a handful of shredded cheese and a sprinkle of fresh parsley for that finishing touch!
Full Recipe:
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2 tablespoons olive oil
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1 large yellow onion, chopped (about 2 cups)
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3 cups chopped bell pepper, any color (from 3 bell peppers)
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6 garlic cloves, chopped (about 2 tablespoons)
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2 teaspoons smoked paprika
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1 teaspoon kosher salt
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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1 pound lean ground beef (85:15)
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1 (15-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
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4 cups beef broth
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1 (8.8-ounce) package precooked microwavable white rice
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6 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded (about 1 1/2 cups)
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Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, garlic, paprika, salt, and cumin. Cook, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes.
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Increase heat to medium-high. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until fully cooked, about 6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
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Stir in crushed tomatoes, beef broth, and uncooked precooked rice. Bring the soup to a boil.
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Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered for about 25 minutes to let flavors meld.
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Serve hot in bowls, topped with shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese and freshly chopped parsley.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 35 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes
Kcal: 447 kcal | Servings: 6 servings
The Comfort of Stuffed Peppers in a Bowl
Stuffed Pepper Soup is a rich, hearty, and deeply comforting one-pot meal that brings the nostalgic flavors of traditional stuffed peppers into a warm and cozy soup format. This dish takes the essence of the beloved stuffed pepper—ground beef, sweet bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, and a dash of spice—and turns it into an easier, faster, and even more satisfying version of the original. It’s the kind of recipe that warms your belly and soul, perfect for cold weather, busy nights, or anytime you need a comforting dish that’s both nutritious and simple to prepare.
While stuffed peppers often require oven-baking, carving out individual peppers, and careful assembly, this soup eliminates all the prep fuss while delivering the same flavor profile. It’s a true comfort food classic, deconstructed and made even more approachable. Whether you’re serving it up for the family on a weeknight or meal prepping lunches for the week, Stuffed Pepper Soup offers versatility, heartiness, and nostalgic familiarity.
Why This Recipe Works So Well
What makes this soup so appealing—besides the flavor—is the simplicity of its preparation. It uses accessible pantry staples, requires only one pot, and comes together in less than an hour. It’s budget-friendly and adaptable, ideal for home cooks of all skill levels. You don’t have to spend time stuffing and baking peppers individually. Instead, you chop them and let them simmer in a savory tomato-beef broth, infusing the entire pot with their sweetness and aroma.
The addition of pre-cooked microwavable rice is a game changer here. You simply add the rice directly to the soup, skipping the boiling or extra cooking time. It soaks in the flavor of the broth and maintains a perfect texture throughout. Ground beef adds richness and substance, while cheddar cheese—melted on top at the end—introduces a sharp, creamy contrast that elevates each spoonful.
This soup strikes a beautiful balance between home-cooked tradition and modern-day convenience, a trait that has made it increasingly popular in family kitchens and food blogs alike.
The Flavor Profile and Texture
Every bite of Stuffed Pepper Soup delivers a complete experience: savory and spiced ground beef, tender pieces of bell pepper, soft but structured rice, and a tomato base that’s seasoned just enough to create depth without overwhelming the fresh vegetables. Smoked paprika and ground cumin add complexity and a gentle warmth, while the natural sweetness of the bell peppers balances the acidity of the crushed tomatoes.
One of the highlights of this dish is its texture. It’s thick without being overly dense, filling without being heavy. The rice soaks up some of the broth, transforming the soup into a stew-like consistency that’s both spoonable and satisfying. And when topped with shredded cheddar cheese, each bowl becomes a creamy, melty delight that mirrors the gooeyness you might find baked atop a traditional stuffed pepper.
A Nutritious Yet Comforting Meal
Stuffed Pepper Soup is a wholesome, filling option that doesn’t sacrifice nutrition for comfort. Each serving delivers a good mix of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The bell peppers are rich in vitamin C, the lean ground beef offers essential iron and protein, and the tomatoes contribute valuable antioxidants like lycopene. You can make the soup even healthier by using brown rice instead of white or swapping out beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles.
Cheddar cheese, while indulgent, also brings calcium to the table. And if you’re watching your fat intake, you can use reduced-fat cheese or simply use a smaller portion. The soup is naturally gluten-free, making it a great choice for those with dietary restrictions, and it’s easy to adjust for low-carb or dairy-free lifestyles.
Customizing to Taste
One of the best things about Stuffed Pepper Soup is its versatility. It serves as a base for endless customization, allowing you to adjust based on what you have in your kitchen or your family’s preferences.
For those who enjoy a bit of heat, adding a chopped jalapeño or a dash of cayenne pepper can give the soup a spicy kick. If you’re craving more vegetables, consider adding diced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach during the simmering process. These ingredients won’t overpower the soup and will bring added nutrition and texture.
For a deeper flavor, you can also deglaze the pot with a splash of red wine or balsamic vinegar after browning the beef. Want a smoky twist? Use fire-roasted tomatoes or roasted red peppers instead of regular canned tomatoes. And for the cheese lovers out there, blending some of the shredded cheddar into the hot soup can create a slightly creamier broth, making it even more indulgent.
Ideal Occasions to Serve It
This soup is a go-to comfort meal for weeknight dinners, lazy Sunday lunches, or as part of a meal-prepped lunch plan. It freezes beautifully, so you can always make a big batch and portion it out for future meals. Hosting guests on a chilly evening? Serve it with a crusty loaf of bread or a side salad for a complete dinner that feels hearty yet casual.
It’s also a great choice for gatherings or potlucks, thanks to its universal appeal and ability to stay warm in a slow cooker. Whether it’s a cold winter’s night or a rainy autumn afternoon, a bowl of this soup feels like a cozy blanket and a hug from home.
Storage and Make-Ahead Tips
Stuffed Pepper Soup stores well in both the fridge and the freezer. Once cooled, transfer leftovers into airtight containers. It will last up to 4 days in the refrigerator or up to 2 months in the freezer. When reheating, you might need to add a splash of broth or water since the rice continues to absorb liquid over time.
For best results, keep the cheese and parsley toppings separate until just before serving. This ensures the texture and flavor stay fresh and vibrant. If you plan to freeze the soup, you can also consider freezing it before adding rice and cheese, then incorporating those ingredients freshly when reheating.
Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Pleasing
One of the underrated aspects of this soup is how universally loved it is. Kids who may be hesitant about stuffed peppers often find the soup version more approachable. The tender vegetables, soft rice, and familiar flavors make it a hit with picky eaters, while the meaty base satisfies grown-up appetites.
It’s also a clever way to introduce children to new spices like cumin and smoked paprika in a familiar format. And because it’s served in a bowl with melty cheese on top, it naturally feels comforting and familiar—even to those trying it for the first time.
Conclusion: A Modern Take on a Classic Favorite
Stuffed Pepper Soup is more than just a shortcut to a classic dish—it’s a thoughtful evolution of a timeless comfort food. It captures everything that makes stuffed peppers special, and transforms them into a convenient, nourishing, and soul-warming meal you can make any day of the week.
This recipe is proof that you don’t need complicated steps or fancy ingredients to create something that’s both satisfying and delicious. With a little chopping and simmering, you get a dish that tastes like it’s been cooking for hours—one that brings people together around the table again and again.