Description

These Low Carb Pizza Stuffed Peppers combine the classic flavors of pizza with the wholesome goodness of bell peppers for a healthy, delicious, and satisfying meal. Loaded with seasoned ground beef, melty mozzarella, parmesan, tomato sauce, and mini pepperonis, these stuffed peppers are baked to tender perfection and topped with fresh basil for a vibrant finish. Perfect for a low carb diet and easy dinner option.

Ingredients

Scale

Peppers

4 large red or green bell peppers, halved and deseeded

Meat and Seasonings

1.5 lbs. ground beef or Italian sausage
1–2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 cup diced onions
Salt and pepper to taste

Cheeses and Sauce

2 cups pizza sauce, divided
1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese, divided (or dairy-free cheese)
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese (or dairy-free cheese)

Toppings

1/2 cup mini pepperonis
Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

Prepare Peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place the peppers upright in a baking dish and bake them unstuffed for 10 minutes. Alternatively, boil the peppers in water for 3-4 minutes to soften faster, then drain and place upright in the baking dish.
Brown Ground Beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add diced onions and minced garlic, cooking for about 2 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook for 8 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess fat.
Make The Mixture: Once the beef is cooked, stir in 1 3/4 cups pizza sauce, 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly.
Stuff The Peppers: Spoon the beef mixture evenly into each bell pepper, pressing down gently to pack. Top each with additional pizza sauce, sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese, and add mini pepperonis on top. Cover the dish with aluminum foil.
Bake The Peppers: Bake covered for 25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
Garnish & Serve: Remove foil and optionally broil for 1-2 minutes to brown the cheese until bubbly and golden. Garnish with fresh basil and serve.

Notes

For a faster cooking method, boil the peppers instead of baking them before stuffing.
Use Italian sausage instead of ground beef for a different flavor profile.
Substitute dairy-free cheeses to make this recipe dairy-free.
Adjust seasoning to taste, especially salt and pepper.
Optional broiling step enhances cheese browning for extra flavor.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Baking
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: low carb, stuffed peppers, pizza stuffed peppers, ground beef stuffed peppers, easy dinner, ketogenic, keto, Italian flavors, baked stuffed peppers