5 Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Recipes You’ll Crave Again and Again

Okay, let’s be real. Ground beef and bell peppers are the ultimate dynamic duo. They’re affordable, versatile, and they bring bold flavors without requiring a culinary degree. Whether you’re in the mood for something cheesy, saucy, or a bit spicy, this combo delivers every single time.

I’ve cooked these recipes countless times, usually when I want a quick weeknight dinner that doesn’t taste like “just another Tuesday meal.” Trust me, once you try these, you’ll never look at that pack of ground beef and pile of peppers in your fridge the same way again. Ready? Let’s get cooking.

1. Classic Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Skillet

This recipe is like that reliable friend who always shows up on time. It’s quick, filling, and only needs one pan. Less dishes = more happiness.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 bell peppers (red and green), diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper
• Cooked rice or pasta (for serving)

Instructions:

1. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
2. Toss in onion, garlic, and peppers. Cook until veggies soften.
3. Stir in diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
4. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Serve over rice or pasta.

Pro tip: Add a sprinkle of mozzarella on top and pop it under the broiler for a cheesy finish.

2. Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Stuffed Peppers

You can’t talk about ground beef and bell pepper recipes without mentioning the iconic stuffed pepper. It’s hearty, colorful, and honestly looks way fancier than the effort required.

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (tops cut off, seeds removed)
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook ground beef with onion, garlic powder, oregano, salt, and pepper until browned.
3. Stir in rice and half the tomato sauce.
4. Stuff peppers with mixture and place them upright in a baking dish.
5. Pour remaining sauce over peppers. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
6. Remove foil, sprinkle cheese on top, and bake for another 10 minutes.

FYI: These reheat beautifully, so make extra and thank yourself tomorrow.

3. Spicy Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Stir-Fry

When you want takeout vibes without spending extra cash, this stir-fry hits the spot. It’s saucy, bold, and comes together faster than your delivery guy can arrive.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 bell peppers (red and yellow), sliced
• 1 cup snap peas (optional, but adds crunch)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp fresh ginger, grated
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
• 2 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 1 tbsp sriracha (or more if you’re feeling wild)
• 2 tbsp sesame oil
• Cooked rice or noodles

Instructions:

1. Heat sesame oil in a wok. Add ground beef and cook until browned.
2. Toss in garlic and ginger. Stir for 1 minute.
3. Add bell peppers and snap peas. Stir-fry until crisp-tender.
4. Mix soy sauce, hoisin, and sriracha. Pour over beef and veggies.
5. Cook 2-3 minutes until everything is coated. Serve over rice or noodles.

Warning: This dish disappears fast. You might want to double the recipe if you’re feeding more than two people.

4. Cheesy Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Pasta Bake

This is comfort food on steroids. Imagine pasta, gooey cheese, savory beef, and sweet bell peppers all baked together. Yep, it’s as good as it sounds.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
• 12 oz penne pasta
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & pepper

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook pasta until al dente. Drain and set aside.
3. Brown ground beef with onion, garlic, and peppers. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
4. Stir in marinara sauce and let simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Toss beef mixture with pasta. Transfer to baking dish.
6. Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan on top.
7. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.

IMO, this is one of those meals where seconds are non-negotiable.

5. Ground Beef and Bell Pepper Tacos

Taco Tuesday just got an upgrade. Bell peppers add crunch and sweetness that balance perfectly with the spiced beef.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 2 bell peppers, diced
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 packet taco seasoning (or homemade mix)
• 1/2 cup water
• Taco shells or tortillas
• Toppings: shredded cheese, lettuce, salsa, sour cream, avocado

Instructions:

1. Cook ground beef in skillet until browned. Drain excess fat.
2. Add onion, bell peppers, and taco seasoning. Stir well.
3. Pour in water and let simmer until thickened.
4. Spoon mixture into taco shells or tortillas.
5. Add toppings of choice.

Pro move: Toast your tortillas over an open flame (carefully!) for a smoky flavor. Totally worth it.

Quick Tips for Cooking with Ground Beef and Bell Peppers

• Choose lean ground beef. It keeps dishes less greasy but still flavorful.
• Mix up pepper colors. Red, yellow, and orange are sweeter, while green gives that classic earthy bite.
• Don’t overcook peppers. You want them tender but not mushy. Nobody likes sad, soggy peppers.
• Make it spicy. Add chili flakes, jalapeños, or hot sauce if you love heat.

Final Thoughts

Ground beef and bell peppers might not sound fancy, but together they’re unbeatable. From cheesy pasta bakes to quick stir-fries and taco night winners, these recipes prove that simple ingredients can create unforgettable meals.

So, which of these ground beef and bell pepper recipes are you trying first? Personally, I’d go for the pasta bake tonight, but hey, tacos are always tempting 🙂