Savory Slow-Cooker Stuffed Peppers

There’s something so comforting about stuffed peppers—warm, cozy, and the kind of meal that feels like you’ve really taken care of yourself (or your people) without a ton of fuss. This slow-cooker version is especially friendly because it lets the crockpot do the heavy lifting while you go about your day. The sauce is simple, the filling is hearty, and everything cooks together into tender peppers filled with classic, cozy flavor.

This is one of those set-it-and-forget-it dinners you’ll want to keep in regular rotation.

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Start With the Sauce

This step takes just a minute and sets the tone for the whole dish:

• Add tomato purée, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, and salt to a medium measuring cup

• Stir until smooth and fully combined

• Set aside while you prepare the filling

Make the Filling

Everything goes into one bowl—no pre-cooking required:

• Combine ground beef or turkey, chopped onion, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, and uncooked parboiled rice

• Mix well until evenly combined (clean hands work best here)

• Prep the peppers by slicing off the tops and removing the cores

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How It Comes Together 

Now let the slow cooker do its thing:

• Spoon a little sauce into the bottom of a 6–7 quart slow-cooker

• Tightly stuff the peppers, filling them just under the rim

• Stand peppers upright in the slow-cooker (slight stacking is fine)

• Pour remaining sauce evenly over the peppers

• Cover and cook:

  • LOW: 5–6 hours

  • HIGH: 2–3 hours

   

• Check that the filling is cooked through to 165 degrees

• Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella, cover, and cook 5 more minutes until melted (optional)

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These stuffed peppers are perfect straight from the slow-cooker — no plating stress required. Serve them with plenty of sauce spooned from the bottom of the slow-cooker, crusty bread, a simple green salad, or even just as they are for a cozy, one-dish meal. If you’re entertaining, set the slow-cooker right on the counter and let guests serve themselves. Add a candle, a bowl of extra cheese, and maybe a glass of red wine, and suddenly dinner feels intentional — even if you made it hours ago and forgot about it until it was done. Simple, comforting, and exactly the kind of meal that makes everyday life feel a little less frayed.

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Savory Slow-Cooker Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

Sauce

• 14 oz tomato puree (use ½ of 28 oz can)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon dried garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon dried onion powder
• ½ teaspoon salt

Stuffing

• 14 oz can tomato puree (use ½ of 28 oz can)
• 1 ½ pounds lean ground beef at least 80% lean (or ground turkey)
• 1 medium onion finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic minced
• 2 teaspoons of your favorite Italian seasoning blend
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 ¼ cups parboiled rice
• 6 large peppers tops sliced off and seeds removed. Any color you like.
• Shredded mozzarella for top (optional)

Instructions

1. Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a medium measuring cup.

2. Set peppers aside. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl.

3. 1/2 cup of sauce in the bottom of a 6-7 quart crockpot.

4. Tightly stuff peppers, until filling reaches just under rim.

5. Place stuffed peppers in crock, making sure they are upright.

6. Spread remaining sauce evenly over peppers.

7. Close lid and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours.

8. Check peppers to make sure filling has cooked all the way through to 165 degrees.

9. Top with shredded cheese and close lid for another 5 minutes until cheese has melted.

10. Serve with sauce from bottom of crock.