Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Take the stress out of dinner and make this Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Recipe tonight. The combination cheesy beef mixture with the rice all stuffed in bell peppers to create a delicious meal idea.

Everyone loves our Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Soup because of all the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers but in a tasty soup recipe. This is a must try recipe if you love chicken stuffed poblano peppers!

Why We Love This Recipe

Using the instant pot has been a game changer for my family. This stuffed peppers recipe makes it easy to enjoy my favorite low carb recipe in under 20 minutes.

The ingredients are simple and it is easy to make. I love how tender the peppers cook and how the delicious meat mixture center melts for the perfect weeknight meal.

Ingredients

• Bell Peppers – Use Green, Yellow or Red Peppers to make this recipe
• Lean Ground Beef – Make this recipe with ground turkey or a mixture of ground beef and turkey
• White Rice – You can also use brown rice, quinoa, or no rice at all.
• Onion – Check out these Best Onion Substitute if you are out.
• Minced Garlic – If using fresh garlic cloves, then learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
• Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies – I usually a can of Rotel
• Tomato Paste – This helps to thicken the sauce
• Brown Sugar – If you are out, The Best Brown Sugar Substitutes

Scroll to the bottom for the full recipe and ingredients in the recipe card.

Optional Additions

• Black Beans
• Fresh Herbs – Thyme, Basil and Oregano
• Corn
• Mozzarella Cheese
• Feta Cheese
• Chopped Bacon

How to Make Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers

Step 1 – Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and remove any of the seeds and membranes inside the peppers.  Then gently cut off the bottom of the peppers to make them level so that they can stand up right in the instant pot. Check out these tips on How to Cut a Bell Pepper.

Step 2 – Put the instant pot on the sauté setting. Add the ground beef and diced onions to the instant pot.  Sauté, breaking up the beef as it cooks, until the ground beef is not longer pink. 

Step 3 – Add in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until the garlic is aromatic. Stir in the diced tomatoes with green chilies, tomato paste, brown sugar, salt and pepper.  Stir until thoroughly combined. 

Step 4 – Mix in the cooked rice and half of the shredded cheese.  Turn the instant pot off. 

Step 5 – Spoon the mixture evenly into the prepared bell peppers. Clean out the instant pot insert. Pour the water into the instant pot and put the trivet into the bottom of the instant pot.  Place the bell peppers into the instant pot on top of the trivet (you may have to cook in batches based on the size of your instant pot). 

Step 6 – Seal the instant pot and cook on high pressure for 5 minutes. Then do a quick release on the instant pot by moving the valve on the lid to the venting position. Top each of the bell pepper with the remaining shredded cheese immediately to allow the heat from the peppers to melt the cheese. Then serve and enjoy! 

Expert Tips

• Peppers – Prepare the bell peppers by slicing the tops and cleaning the inside. Make sure that they are even so they stand up in the instant pot.
• Ground Beef – There is no need to cook the ground beef before stuffing in the peppers. The instant pot will cook the ground beef stuffed in the peppers.
• Rice – Cook rice before adding mixing with the ground beef mixture.

Serving Suggestions

This really is a complete meal since you have the ground beef, rice and veggie. There isn’t much need for a bunch of side dishes. I usually just serve it with a simple salad and call it a day. These are some additional ideas.

• Homemade Garlic Bread
• Parmesan Roasted Green Beans
• Fruit Salad Recipe