Keto Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef
These colorful bell peppers are hollowed out and packed with a savory mixture of seasoned ground beef, three types of cheese, and low-carb marinara sauce. The combination of ricotta, mozzarella, and Parmesan creates a rich, creamy filling that perfectly complements the tender peppers. This hearty, low-carb meal works beautifully for weeknight dinners or meal prep, offering all the comforting flavors of Italian cuisine while keeping carbs in check. The peppers become tender-crisp after baking, providing the perfect vessel for the cheesy, herb-seasoned beef filling.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- ½ cup ricotta cheese
- ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- ½ cup onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1 cup low-carb marinara sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- salt
- pepper
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 375°F
- 2
Sauté onions in olive oil until translucent
- 3
Add garlic and ground beef, cook until browned and drain excess fat
- 4
Stir in marinara sauce, oregano, basil, salt and pepper, simmer briefly
- 5
Combine beef mixture with ricotta and half the mozzarella and Parmesan
- 6
Fill bell peppers with meat mixture, pressing gently
- 7
Bake peppers for 20 minutes
- 8
Top with remaining cheeses and bake 10 minutes more until melted and bubbly
- 9
Let rest 5 minutes before serving
Tips
Choose peppers that can stand upright by trimming a small slice from the bottom if needed
Save time by preparing the filling ahead and stuffing peppers just before baking
Let peppers cool slightly before serving to prevent the cheese from being too runny
Good to Know
refrigerate up to 3 days covered
can stuff peppers up to 1 day ahead, add 5 minutes to baking time if cold
hot from oven with side salad
Common Mistakes
trim pepper bottoms if they won't stand to avoid tipping
don't overstuff peppers to avoid spillage during baking
Substitutions
FAQ
Can I use different colored bell peppers?
Yes, any color bell pepper works well. Red and yellow peppers tend to be sweeter while green peppers have a more vegetal flavor.
What if I don't have low-carb marinara sauce?
You can use regular marinara sauce, though it will increase the carb content. Look for brands with no added sugar for best results.
How long will these keep in the refrigerator?
Properly stored stuffed peppers will keep for up to 3 days in the refrigerator. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.