Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers

The perfect blend of hearty, cheesy, and low carb, these Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers are a satisfying and flavorful twist on the classic comfort dish. Filled with seasoned ground beef and cauliflower rice, they’re a nourishing and easy meal for any night of the week.

Whether you’re following a keto diet, eating gluten-free, or just craving something deliciously savory, these stuffed peppers check all the boxes. They’re meal-prep friendly, family-approved, and customizable with your favorite spices and cheeses. This dish proves that healthy doesn’t mean boring.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 small onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 lb ground beef

• 1 cup cauliflower rice

• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika

• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

• Salt and pepper to taste

• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella for milder flavor)

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1/4 cup water

• Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sauté for 2-3 minutes until softened.

4. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.

5. Stir in cauliflower rice, tomato paste, water, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5-6 minutes until mixture thickens slightly.

6. Stir in half of the shredded cheese and mix until melted and combined.

7. Stuff the bell peppers evenly with the beef mixture and place in a baking dish.

8. Top with remaining cheese and cover loosely with foil.

9. Bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and golden.

10. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving if desired.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 40 minutes | Total Time: 50 minutes
Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 4 servings

Ultimate Guide to Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers

Hearty, low-carb comfort food made easy and healthy

Stuffed bell peppers are a timeless comfort food that crosses cultures and diets—but when you’re living a low-carb or ketogenic lifestyle, traditional rice- or grain-filled versions just don’t cut it. That’s where Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers with ground beef and cauliflower rice step in. This easy, filling, and flavorful recipe delivers all the satisfaction of your favorite stuffed peppers, minus the carbs.

These keto-friendly peppers are juicy, cheesy, and packed with protein and flavor. They’re a perfect weeknight dinner, meal prep option, or family-friendly dish that even non-keto eaters will love.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ Low-Carb & Keto-Friendly: Made with cauliflower rice instead of traditional grains

• ✅ High in Protein: Each serving contains a generous amount of quality ground beef

• ✅ Customizable: Add spices, different cheeses, or veggies

• ✅ Meal Prep Friendly: Can be made ahead and stored for the week

• ✅ Comfort Food That’s Actually Healthy: Rich, hearty, and 100% satisfying

A Comfort Dish with a Healthy Twist

Stuffed peppers have been enjoyed for generations. Whether it’s Mexican-style chiles rellenos, Mediterranean stuffed veggies, or classic American beef-and-rice peppers, they’re a staple for good reason.

This keto version skips the starches and replaces them with cauliflower rice, a light, grain-free, low-carb alternative that absorbs flavor beautifully and keeps your macros on track. Mixed with ground beef, garlic, onions, spices, and melty cheese, the filling is just as cozy and delicious as the original, if not more.

The bell peppers act as natural edible bowls, holding in all that flavor while becoming tender and slightly caramelized during baking. You get texture, warmth, flavor, and nutrition all in one colorful package.

Ingredient Breakdown

Each ingredient in this recipe plays a role in flavor, texture, or nutrition:

• Bell Peppers: Choose firm, fresh bell peppers. Red, orange, and yellow are sweeter, while green peppers offer a slightly more bitter, robust flavor.

• Ground Beef: Use 85% lean for the best balance of fat and flavor. You can also swap in ground turkey, chicken, or a mix of beef and pork.

• Cauliflower Rice: A perfect low-carb replacement for traditional rice. It lightens the dish while soaking up the spices and juices.

• Onion & Garlic: These aromatics form the base of flavor. You can sauté them lightly before adding the beef for depth.

• Tomato Paste: Adds a touch of sweetness and umami without excess carbs.

• Water: Helps thin the tomato paste and keeps the filling moist.

• Spices (Smoked Paprika, Oregano, Salt, Pepper): These give the dish its warm, comforting taste.

• Cheddar Cheese: Adds creaminess and structure. Use shredded cheddar, mozzarella, or a cheese blend.

• Parsley (optional): A fresh garnish that elevates both the presentation and the taste.

Health Benefits of This Dish

One of the best parts about Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers is how nutrient-dense and balanced they are:

• Low in Carbs: Thanks to the use of cauliflower rice, each serving is keto-compliant.

• High in Protein: Essential for maintaining lean muscle and staying satiated.

• Rich in Vitamins A and C: Bell peppers are packed with antioxidants.

• High in Fiber: Cauliflower and bell peppers both offer gut-friendly fiber.

• Healthy Fats: Cheese and beef provide necessary fats for keto metabolism.

Whether you’re doing keto for weight loss, blood sugar control, or energy balance, this dish supports your goals without sacrificing taste.

Recipe Tips & Tricks

Here are some quick hacks to make your cooking smoother:

• Pre-bake your peppers for 10 minutes if you want them extra tender.

• Drain excess fat from the beef before adding cauliflower to avoid sogginess.

• Use frozen cauliflower rice to save time. Just thaw and squeeze out excess moisture.

• Don’t overstuff the peppers, leave a bit of room for expansion while baking.

• Double the batch for meal prep or freezing, these freeze beautifully!

Variations to Try

One of the best parts about this recipe is how flexible it is:

1. Make it Spicy:

Add chopped jalapeños or crushed red pepper flakes for a kick.

2. Make it Creamy:

Stir in a dollop of cream cheese or sour cream into the filling before stuffing.

3. Swap the Meat:

Try ground turkey, sausage, lamb, or even a vegetarian meat substitute for different flavors.

4. Change the Cheese:

Use provolone, gouda, pepper jack, or feta for new flavor profiles.

5. Add More Veggies:

Finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach can add more bulk and fiber without extra carbs.

Serving Suggestions

These stuffed peppers are a complete meal on their own, but they pair beautifully with:

• A simple green salad with olive oil and vinegar

• Cauliflower mash or roasted vegetables on the side

• Keto-friendly garlic bread made with almond flour

• A side of guacamole or sour cream for dipping or topping

You can also serve them as an appetizer by halving the peppers or using mini sweet peppers for bite-sized portions.

Storage & Meal Prep

If you’re cooking for one or two, don’t worry, these stuffed peppers are a meal prep dream.

To Store:
Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.

To Freeze:
Wrap each stuffed pepper individually in foil or plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the oven or microwave when ready to enjoy.

To Reheat:
Bake at 350°F (180°C) for 20 minutes or microwave for 2–3 minutes, until heated through.

Why This Recipe Works for Keto Lifestyles

One of the biggest challenges people face when transitioning to a low-carb or keto diet is giving up comfort foods. With this dish, you don’t have to. Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers offer:

• Texture and richness from beef and melted cheese

• Vegetable bulk without a carb overload

• Balanced macros for staying in ketosis

• Familiar flavors without the crash of carb-heavy meals

The result is a feel-good meal that supports your health, metabolism, and lifestyle goals.

Conclusion

Keto Stuffed Bell Peppers are more than just a healthier twist on a classic, they’re a flavor-packed, nourishing, and truly satisfying dish that proves eating low-carb doesn’t mean giving up the food you love. From weeknight dinners to meal prep, they fit seamlessly into any keto meal plan while keeping things exciting.

Whether you’re new to the keto lifestyle or a seasoned low-carb cook, this dish is a reliable go-to that’s easy to whip up, endlessly customizable, and always a hit at the table. Try it once, and it might just become a regular in your rotation.