Of course! Stuffed Pepper Soup is the ultimate comfort food hack. It delivers all the classic, cozy flavors of stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time, with no tedious stuffing required. It’s hearty, savory, slightly sweet, and incredibly satisfying.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to making an excellent pot of Stuffed Pepper Soup, including a base recipe, key tips, and variations.
Classic Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe
This recipe yields a generous pot (about 6-8 servings) and freezes beautifully.
Ingredients:
· 1 lb ground beef (85/15 or 90/10 works well)
· 1 tablespoon olive oil
· 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
· 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
· 1 medium yellow onion, diced
· 3 cloves garlic, minced
· 1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
· 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
· 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes (undrained)
· 4 cups beef broth (use low-sodium if preferred)
· 1 ½ cups cooked white rice (about ½ cup uncooked)
· 2 teaspoons dried oregano
· 1 tablespoon brown sugar (balances acidity, optional but recommended)
· 1 teaspoon paprika
· Salt and black pepper to taste
· For serving: Shredded mozzarella or Italian blend cheese, fresh parsley or basil.
Instructions:
- Brown the Beef: In a large Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Drain excess fat and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: In the same pot, add olive oil. Sauté the diced peppers and onion until softened, about 5-7 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1 more minute until fragrant.
- Build the Soup: Return the beef to the pot. Add the crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, diced tomatoes with their juice, beef broth, oregano, paprika, brown sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for at least 30 minutes (45 minutes is even better) to allow the flavors to meld.
- Add Rice & Finish: Stir in the cooked rice and heat through. Taste and adjust seasoning (more salt, pepper, or a splash of broth if needed).
- Serve: Ladle into bowls and top generously with shredded cheese and a sprinkle of fresh herbs.
Pro Tips for the Best Soup:
· Brown the Beef Well: Don’t just gray it—get some good caramelization on the meat for deeper flavor.
· Cook Rice Separately: Adding uncooked rice directly to the soup will make it mushy and absorb too much liquid. Cook it separately and add it just before serving, especially for leftovers.
· The Flavor Key – Simmer: Don’t rush the simmer. This step is crucial for developing a rich, rounded flavor instead of a “just mixed together” taste.
· Acidity Balance: Taste before serving. If the tomatoes are too sharp, a pinch more brown sugar or a splash of beef broth can mellow it.
· Texture Preference: For a thicker, more chili-like consistency, use less broth. For a soupier version, add more.
Popular Variations & Dietary Tweaks:
· Ground Turkey or Chicken: A lighter, but still delicious, alternative.
· Italian Sausage: Swap half the beef for mild or hot Italian sausage for a more robust flavor.
· “Unstuffed” Cabbage Roll Soup: Add a handful of chopped cabbage with the peppers and use a teaspoon of thyme.
· Grain-Free: Substitute the white rice with cauliflower rice (add in the last 5 minutes of simmering) or quinoa.
· Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker: Use the Sauté function for browning and softening veggies. Add all ingredients except cooked rice. Pressure cook on High for 10 minutes, quick release, then stir in the rice.
· Slow Cooker: Brown the beef and soften the veggies on the stove first (highly recommended for flavor), then transfer everything except the rice to the crockpot. Cook on LOW for 6-8 hours or HIGH for 3-4. Add rice before serving.
Storing & Reheating:
· Refrigerator: Cool completely and store in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
· Freezer: Freeze (without rice and cheese) for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
· Reheating: Reheat gently on the stovetop or in the microwave, adding a splash of broth or water if the soup has thickened. Add fresh rice to leftovers.
Enjoy your bowl of cozy, flavorful soup! It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.