Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

By: Shannon Epstein

 Slow cooker stuffed peppers is an easy and flavorful recipe that will have people asking for more. This family and kid-friendly meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and date nights. Ground meat, rice, crushed tomatoes, and simple seasonings slow cook together until tender. Tailor the bell peppers to your liking and make them healthy as you want. Instructions to make this easy stuffed peppers recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

Ingredients For Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

  • Bell Peppers
  • Ground Beef
  • Cooked Rice
  • Cheese
  • Crushed Tomatoes
  • Onion
  • Shredded Cheese
  • Seasonings: oregano, salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, pepper

collage of ingredients for slow cooker stuffed peppers

How To Make Stuffed Peppers In The Slow Cooker

Prepare Stuffed Peppers:

  1. Slice the top off of each bell pepper. Hollow out the bell pepper by removing all the seeds and membranes.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the stuffing ingredients. Spoon the filling equally into each bell pepper until they’re all full. Pack all the filling in there tightly. It’s okay if it’s overflowing at the top.

Slow Cooker

  1. Spray the inside of your slow cooker (you’ll need a 6-quart) with nonstick spray.
  2. Add the prepared bell peppers into the slow cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
  4. The last 5 minutes of cooking time, add shredded cheese evenly across the top of each bell pepper. Cover and cook until cheese is melted.

Instant Pot

  1. Pour the water into the Instant Pot. Add the trivet.
  2. Add the prepared stuffed peppers.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 13 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure. Open lid & turn off the pressure cooker.
  4. Add shredded cheese evenly across the top of each bell pepper. Place the lid back on and let the pepper sit for approximately 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted. 

FAQs & Tips

What are stuffed peppers?

Stuffed peppers are bell peppers that are usually stuffed with rice, ground meat, tomatoes and seasonings. 

What type of meat should you use?

What you see in the pictures is ground beef. Other suggestions include ground turkey ground sausage. Feel free to use your preferred ground meat without changing the cooking time. If you have leftover cooked meat like shredded chicken or pulled pork, you can use that too! 

How many bell peppers should you use?

The serving size for this recipe will vary depending on the size of the bell peppers you use. I can usually fit 5 to 6 medium-size bell peppers in a 6-quart slow cooker. 

 What type of rice should you use?

The recipe uses cooked rice so the type is up to you. I used brown rice. Other suggestions include white rice or even riced cauliflower. If you use cauliflower rice, you can add it uncooked.  

What should you do with leftover stuffing?

If you find yourself with leftover stuffing but maybe not enough for an additional bell pepper…cook and eat it! Personally, I find the stuffing by itself to be pretty tasty. 

Can you freeze slow cooker stuffed peppers?

Yes! Freezing stuffed peppers is just as easy as storing them in the refrigerator. Make sure the stuffed bell peppers are cooled completely and then wrap them individually in plastic wrap. They should last up to 3 months in the freezer.  

How do you store leftovers?

Store leftover crockpot stuffed peppers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. 

What size slow cooker did you use?

I used a large 6-quart slow cooker or Instant Pot for this recipe.  

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Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers

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5 from 6 reviews

 Slow cooker stuffed peppers is an easy and flavorful recipe that will have people asking for more. This family and kid-friendly meal is perfect for weeknight dinners and date nights. Ground meat, rice, crushed tomatoes, and simple seasonings slow cook together until tender. Tailor the bell peppers to your liking and make them healthy as you want. Instructions to make this easy stuffed peppers recipe in the Instant Pot are also included.

  • Author: Shannon Epstein
  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 3 hours
  • Total Time: 3 hours 15 minutes
  • Yield: 4-6 1x

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 4-6 bell peppers (depending on their size)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
STUFFING
  • 1 pound ground beef (or another ground meat)
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 15 ounces crushed tomatoes
  • 1/3 cup onion, chopped finely
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • Additional ingredient for the Instant Pot only: 1 cup liquid broth or water

Instructions

Prepare Stuffed Peppers:

  1. Slice the top off of each bell pepper. Hollow out the bell pepper by removing all the seeds and membranes.
  2. In a large bowl, mix together the stuffing ingredients. Spoon the filling equally into each bell pepper until they’re all full. Pack all the filling in there tightly. It’s okay if it’s overflowing at the top.

Slow Cooker

  1. Spray the inside of your slow cooker (you’ll need a 6-quart) with nonstick spray.
  2. Add the prepared bell peppers into the slow cooker.
  3. Cover and cook on HIGH for 3-4 hours or LOW 6-8.
  4. The last 5 minutes of cooking time, add shredded cheese evenly across the top of each bell pepper. Cover and cook until cheese is melted.

Instant Pot

  1. Pour the water into the Instant Pot. Add the trivet.
  2. Add the prepared stuffed peppers.
  3. Close lid and seal valve. Set high pressure and cook for 13 minutes. When cooking time is complete, quick release the pressure. Open lid & turn off the pressure cooker.
  4. Add shredded cheese evenly across the top of each bell pepper. Place the lid back on and let the pepper sit for approximately 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Notes

Carefully remove the bell peppers from the slow cooker or Instant Pot using tongs. They will be hot. 

@fitslowcookerqueen

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Meet The Author

Hi, I’m a home cook from Los Angeles. I received a slow cooker as a wedding gift in 2011, but it wasn’t until six months later, facing my highest weight and hypertension, that I started using it. Follow me to learn more about my journey to healthier living and discover delicious recipes along the way.

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10 thoughts on “Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers”

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  4. Melissa Christ

    This recipe was delicious. From the photos, it looks like you added water to the bottom of the slow cooker. How much water did you put in the bottom of the slow cooker to cook the peppers in? Thanks!

    1. Thank you! I actually didn’t add any water. That’s the natural condensation you see. However you can add 1/4 cup of water, broth, or even leftover diced tomatoes if you have any. Enjoy!

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