Ingredients
- 2 bell peppers (any color), halved and seeded
- 1/2 lb ground beef, turkey, or chicken
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce or crushed tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning or taco seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Mexican blend)
- Olive oil or cooking spray
- Fresh parsley or chopped green onions (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat air fryer to 360°F (180°C) for a few minutes.
- In a skillet, cook ground meat with onion and garlic until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in tomato sauce, cooked rice, seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Brush or spray pepper halves with oil and place in the air fryer basket.
- Spoon filling into pepper halves, pressing to pack gently.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, then top with shredded cheese.
- Air fry for an additional 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove, garnish with parsley or green onions, and serve hot.
Notes
- Use quinoa, couscous, or cauliflower rice for variety.
- Add beans, corn, or jalapeños for a southwestern twist.
- Substitute marinara for tomato sauce for an Italian flavor.
- To make dairy-free, use a cheese alternative or skip the cheese.
- Slice a thin layer off the pepper bottoms to help them sit flat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 stuffed pepper halves
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 26g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
