Kid Approved Italian Stuffed Peppers in 5 Easy Steps
on May 12, 2016, Updated Jan 28, 2025
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Make these kid approved Italian Stuffed Peppers in only 5 easy steps! They’re healthy, delicious, easy to make and they freeze well too! Made with fresh sweet peppers, orzo, and your favorite spaghetti sauce, these stuffed peppers are sure to be a hit for your next family dinner.
Table of Contents
How to Make Italian Stuffed Peppers in 5 Easy Steps
With a quick prep, you can get this fabulous meal on your table in a snap. And then you’ll have lots of time for dreaming about your next trip to Italy.
Are you ready to go? Let’s get started!
First, cook a 1/2 cup of orzo according to package directions. Orzo is the Italian word for barley and that’s this pasta’s name because it looks like rice. Make sure to cook it al dente so it doesn’t overcook during the baking time.
While the orzo is cooking, cook a half a pound of Italian sausage and a half a pound of ground beef. Be sure to drain any fat when it’s done and then add in 1/2 jar of Ragu Homestyle Pasta Sauce, 1 egg, 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1 tsp Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to taste.
I used Ragu’s Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce and was very pleased with the result in my recipe. I didn’t have to simmer sauce all day and my recipe come together very quickly which is nice on busy evenings.
I’m very glad to learn that this sauce has no high fructose corn syrup, artificial colors, or artificial flavors. It’s a delicious budget friendly option for quick cooking! You can also make your own sauce – here are a couple of my favorite sauce recipes:
Easy, Homemade Roasted Tomato Sauce
Classic Spaghetti Sauce with Meatballs
Next, halve beautiful sweet peppers lengthwise and clean them out.
Fill the peppers with the orzo meat sauce.
And top with more mozzarella cheese. Spoon the remaining 1/2 jar of sauce around the peppers and cover them tightly with aluminum foil.
Bake in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese and sauce are bubbly and gorgeous. Serve with a salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!
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Ingredients
- 4 large green or red peppers, cut in half lengthwise and cleaned out
- 1/2 cup uncooked orzo pasta
- 1/2 lb Italian sausage
- 1/2 lb ground beef
- 1 jar Ragu Homestyle Thick and Hearty Roasted Garlic Sauce
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded parmesan
- 1 egg
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Cook orzo al dente according to package directions. Drain and set aside.
- Brown beef and Italian sausage until completely cooked. Drain grease and add 1/2 jar Ragu Homestyle Sauce, the Parmesan cheese, 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese, egg, seasonings, and the cooked orzo.
- Pour remaining Ragu Homestyle Sauce on the bottom of a 9 x 13 baking pan.
- Fill peppers, cover with remaining mozzarella cheese and bake covered, 20-25 minutes.
- Enjoy!
I think you’ll really enjoy this delicious meal! It’s kid tested and approved at my house. Some of my pickier eaters aren’t crazy about the pepper part, but they all love the filling. And since I like to go big, you can bet I always double the meat recipe and freeze the extra. Next time I want these delicious stuffed peppers, I thaw the meat mixture, stuff fresh peppers, and bake according to recipe directions! Delicious!
Enjoy this recipe!
These sound (and look!) delicious! ๐
Thank you! โค๏ธ
These look so good!!
These look amazing! I love your story too!
I love that you incorporate a story into your recipe. I’ll use chicken or beef sausage if I make this — and it looks delicious.
Yum, I love stuffed peppers, this dish sounds wonderful! And, I really love the pictures of your travels around Italy as a child with your family, so cute!!
Oh, my, I’d have had so much trouble in that Leaning Tower! LOL!
The peppers do look lovely.
Stuffed peppers is one of the only ways I get my kids to eat bell peppers. This recipe would be a hit in my house.
These look yummy! Can’t wait to try this recipe. My grandpa and I make stuffed peppers at least once a month so I will use this recipe next time! Thanks for sharing ๐
Stuffed peppers and tomatoes are a favorite summer dish! I love your version!
I used to love stuffed peppers, but for some reason haven’t made them in a very long time. Later this summer when my garden is producing will be the perfect time to give this a try!
Sounds delicious and simple!
I’ll honestly probably try the stuffed peppers! I seem to remember my son loved them when my mom made them…
These look great, my family would love this
i goofed this all up my pintrest name is myflower121870
May I freeze these once cooked? Thank you for posting!
Hi Vivian, I prefer to freeze the meat mixture and then use fresh peppers, but you can certainly try cooking and then freezing them! Let me know how it goes if you do. ๐
A simply stunning recipe! I love the pictures too! Thanks, Michelle. ๐
Thanks so much, Tiffany! ๐
Hey! This recipe is amazing! I also love the pictures. Thanks, Michelle ๐
Healthy and delicious. Also they freeze well for a make ahead meal.This is delicious! This will be made often!5 stars
Quick and Easy Family Recipes
Glad you liked it! ๐