Created on October 12th, 2025 at 02:05 pm
All the comfort of stuffed peppers – now in a bowl!
This Cozy Stuffed Pepper Soup is everything you crave on a chilly fall evening—warm, satisfying, and easy to make. Packed with lean ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and aromatic herbs, it’s a comforting twist on traditional stuffed peppers. Plus, this recipe adapts beautifully for the crockpot, Instant Pot, or stovetop. Whether you’re meal prepping or feeding a hungry crowd, this healthy unstuffed pepper soup is a must-try. It’s a fall favorite that delivers big flavor with minimal effort. Add a sprinkle of parmesan and a slice of crusty bread—you’ve got a family feast that’ll keep everyone coming back for seconds.
🌟 Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There’s something so nostalgic and grounding about a simmering pot of soup. This Stuffed Pepper Soup gives you all the rich, tomato-y flavor of the classic dish without the fuss of stuffing and baking. Perfect for busy weeknights or a slow weekend dinner, it’s naturally gluten-free, freezer-friendly, and filled with fall harvest veggies.
✅ Uses pantry staples
✅ One-pot (or pot-free with crockpot!)
✅ Easy to double and freeze
✅ Budget-friendly comfort food
⏱️ Time Breakdown
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 37 minutes
Total Time: 47 minutes
Servings: 6 (2.5 cup servings)
📝 Ingredients List
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 1 cup diced onion
- ½ tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 cups diced red, orange, or yellow bell peppers
- 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 3 cups water
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ⅔ cup long grain white rice
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
“This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.”
- Large skillet or frying pan
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Large soup pot or slow cooker
👩🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions
Stovetop Method
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add ground beef; cook ~10 minutes until browned.
- Stir in garlic and onion; sauté 2 minutes.
- Add peppers, tomatoes, water, broth, seasonings, and rice. Stir well.
- Cover, bring to a boil (~10 minutes), stirring occasionally.
- Once boiling, uncover and simmer 2 minutes on medium heat.
- Remove from heat, let sit uncovered for 10 minutes.
- Remove bay leaf. Serve hot with fresh parsley and grated parmesan. 🧀🌿
Instant Pot Method
- Set to sauté (15 mins). Heat oil 3 mins.
- Brown beef for 10 mins.
- Add garlic & onion; sauté 2 mins.
- Add all other ingredients, deglazing pot bottom.
- Pressure cook on High for 2 mins. Quick release.
- Remove bay leaf, serve warm with garnishes. ⏱️🍲
Crockpot Method
- Brown beef in skillet (10 mins), then sauté onion & garlic (2 mins).
- Transfer meat mixture to crockpot.
- Add all other ingredients and stir.
- Cook on LOW 6 hrs or HIGH 4 hrs.
- Remove bay leaf, serve with cheese and herbs. 🧡
💡 Pro Tip: To avoid mushy rice in leftovers, reduce water by 1 cup and stir in cooked rice at the end.
💡 Pro Tips
- Storage: Store in the fridge up to 4 days, or freeze for 3 months.
- Make Ahead: Prep and freeze raw ingredients (except broth and rice). Add when cooking.
- Substitutions: Swap beef for ground turkey or chicken.
- Meal Prep Friendly: Make a big batch—flavors get better the next day!
- Serving Suggestion: Add a side salad or grilled cheese for a full meal.
✨ Your Cozy Soup Moment Awaits
When fall arrives and the air turns crisp, there’s nothing better than a steaming bowl of Stuffed Pepper Soup. It’s wholesome, nostalgic, and effortlessly adaptable to your kitchen setup—whether you’re tossing it in the slow cooker or letting it simmer on the stove. With bright bell peppers, tender rice, and hearty beef in a savory tomato base, this is a family-favorite dinner that feels like a hug in a bowl. Cook it once and you’ll be hooked—this comforting soup deserves a spot on your fall menu rotation!
📊 Nutrition Table
| Serving Size | Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 plate | 420 | 18g | 35g | 22g | 4g | 6g |
Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary based on your ingredients and preparation. Please consult a nutritionist for precise dietary advice.
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