I’ve always loved the vibrant flavors of Costco’s stuffed peppers. Whenever I grabbed one from the store, I couldn’t help but think, “I wish I could make these at home.” The good news is, you totally can!
Recreating this favorite dish is easier than you might think. With just a few simple ingredients, you can enjoy the same cheesy, savory goodness right in your kitchen. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a cozy dinner, these copycat stuffed peppers are sure to impress.
Ingredients
- 4 large bell peppers
- Choose vibrant colors like red, yellow, or orange for sweetness
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- I prefer using white or brown rice, cooked and cooled
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional for garnish)
Tools
To master this Costco Stuffed Peppers copycat recipe, I rely on the following essential tools:
- Baking Dish: A 9×13-inch baking dish provides ample space to arrange all the stuffed peppers without overcrowding, ensuring even cooking.
- Skillet: I use a large skillet to brown the ground beef or turkey and sauté the onions and garlic, creating a flavorful base for the filling.
- Mixing Bowl: A medium-sized mixing bowl is perfect for combining the cooked meat, rice, diced tomatoes, and seasonings thoroughly.
- Chef’s Knife: A sharp chef’s knife makes chopping onions, garlic, and slicing bell peppers efficient and safe.
- Cutting Board: A sturdy cutting board offers a reliable surface for all your chopping and prep work.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements are crucial, so having a complete set of measuring cups and spoons ensures the right balance of flavors.
- Spoon or Scoop: A large spoon or scoop helps fill each bell pepper neatly and consistently.
- Aluminum Foil or Lid: Covering the baking dish with aluminum foil or a lid traps moisture, allowing the peppers to steam and cook evenly.
- Oven: Preheating your oven to the correct temperature is key for baking the stuffed peppers to perfection.
With these tools at hand, preparing these stuffed peppers becomes a streamlined and enjoyable process, allowing me to focus on layering flavors and achieving that perfect texture.
Directions
Recreating Costco’s stuffed peppers is easier than you might think. Follow these steps to make them perfectly at home.
Prep
- Preheat the Oven
- Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it’s ready when the peppers are assembled.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers
- Slice the tops off 4 large bell peppers.
- Remove the seeds and membranes carefully, creating a cavity for the filling.
- Sauté Vegetables and Meat
- Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add 1 diced onion and 3 minced garlic cloves. Sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.
- Add 1 pound of ground beef or turkey to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon.
- Combine Filling Ingredients
- Stir in 1 cup of cooked rice, 1 can (14.5 oz) of diced tomatoes, and 1 cup of tomato sauce.
- Season with 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper.
- Cook the mixture for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
- Transfer to Mixing Bowl
- Remove the skillet from heat and transfer the meat and rice mixture to a medium mixing bowl.
Cook
- Arrange Peppers in Baking Dish
- Place the prepared bell peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish, ensuring they fit snugly.
- Fill the Peppers
- Spoon the meat and rice mixture into each pepper, packing the filling firmly.
- Add Additional Tomato Sauce
- Pour ½ cup of tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers to keep them moist during baking.
Assemble
- Cover the Baking Dish
- Use aluminum foil or a lid to cover the baking dish, trapping moisture and heat.
- Bake the Peppers
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese Topping
- Remove the foil and sprinkle 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese over each stuffed pepper.
- Finish Baking
- Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for an additional 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish and Serve
- Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley, if desired, before serving.
Make-Ahead Instructions
Preparing these stuffed peppers in advance makes your weeknight dinners a breeze. Here’s how I like to make-ahead for maximum flavor and convenience:
Assembling and Storing
- Prepare the Filling and Peppers: Follow the recipe steps to sauté the onions and garlic, brown the meat, and combine the filling ingredients with rice and diced tomatoes. Slice and seed the bell peppers, then stuff them generously with the filling.
- Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the stuffed peppers upright in a 9×13-inch baking dish. Pour tomato sauce over each pepper to keep them moist during storage.
- Cooling: Allow the assembled peppers to cool completely at room temperature. This prevents condensation when storing.
- Wrap for Fresh Storage:
- Refrigerate: Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil or an airtight lid. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freeze: For longer storage, wrap each pepper individually in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months.
Reheating Instructions
When you’re ready to enjoy your make-ahead stuffed peppers, follow these steps to reheat them perfectly:
- From Refrigerator:
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake Covered: Remove the foil or lid and cover the baking dish with fresh aluminum foil to retain moisture. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Add Cheese: Uncover, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- From Freezer:
- Thaw Overnight: Move the peppers from the freezer to the refrigerator the night before.
- Follow Refrigerator Steps: Once thawed, proceed with the reheating steps outlined above.
- Alternatively, Bake from Frozen: Increase the baking time to 45 minutes covered, then add cheese and bake for another 10-15 minutes.
- Microwave Option:
- Single Serving: Place a stuffed pepper on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a microwave-safe lid or another plate.
- Heat: Microwave on high for 3-4 minutes if refrigerated or 6-7 minutes if frozen. Ensure the pepper is heated through.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle with mozzarella, then microwave for an additional 30-60 seconds until the cheese melts.
Storage Summary
| Storage Method | Duration | Instructions |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerator | Up to 3 days | Cover tightly with foil or airtight lid |
| Freezer | Up to 3 months | Individually wrap in plastic wrap and seal in container |
Making these stuffed peppers ahead of time not only saves you time but also allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or planning a family dinner, these make-ahead techniques ensure your stuffed peppers are always delicious and ready to serve.
Conclusion
Recreating Costco’s stuffed peppers at home has been a joy for me. Seeing the vibrant colors and savoring the rich flavors makes all the effort worth it. Whether you’re meal prepping for the week or hosting a cozy dinner these stuffed peppers are sure to delight. Plus they’re customizable so you can make them your own. I hope you give this copycat recipe a try and enjoy it as much as I do. Happy cooking!
