Pizza Stuffed Peppers
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If you’re a pizza lover looking for a low-carb alternative or just a way to sneak a few more veggies into your kid’s meal, these pizza-stuffed peppers are a game-changer! They bring all the flavors of your favorite pizza: gooey mozzarella, savory Italian sausage, and crispy pepperoni, all packed into a sweet and tender bell pepper.
I first made these stuffed bell peppers with pizza toppings when I was craving pizza but wanted something a little lighter. Bell peppers make the perfect base because they provide just the right amount of natural sweetness and crunch. Now, it’s a go-to meal in my house that even the kids love!
I’m always looking for low carb pizza alternatives like my Low Carb Pizza Casserole. These easy stuffed peppers are my new favorite. They are filled with everything you need for a meat lovers’ pizza. Italian sausage and pepperoni are packed into a bell pepper along with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Ingredients:
- 3 Bell Peppers – We like to use red, yellow, or orange bell peppers because they have a very mild flavor that doesn’t compete with the pizza flavors.
- 8 ounces Mozzarella Cheese
- 2 ounces Pepperoni, cut into small pieces
- 6 ounces Italian Sausage, cooked
- ¾ cup Pasta Sauce (We love Rao’s Sensitive Marinara Sauce for its rich flavor!)
Substitutions:
- Cheese Swap: Try provolone, cheddar, or a mix of Italian cheeses.
- Protein Options: Substitute turkey sausage, ground beef, or shredded chicken.
- Vegetarian Option: Skip the meat and add mushrooms, olives, or spinach.
- Different Peppers: While bell peppers work best, you can use poblano or banana peppers for a unique twist.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prep the Peppers and Oven. Preheat your oven to 400°F. Slice each bell pepper in half and remove the seeds and white ribs inside. Arrange the bell pepper pizza boats in a baking dish.
- Assemble the Layers. Add one tablespoon of pasta sauce to the bottom of each pepper. Top with 1 ounce of cooked Italian sausage and some chopped pepperoni. Sprinkle a little mozzarella cheese, pressing it down to fill the space. Add another tablespoon of sauce, more pepperoni, and finish with extra mozzarella cheese.
- Bake to Perfection. Bake for 40 minutes or until the peppers wrinkle around the edges and the cheese is fully melted. Place the baking dish in the oven.
- Serve. Once the peppers have finished baking remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving.
Expert Tips & Tricks
- Want a softer pepper? Bake covered with foil for the first 20 minutes, then remove it to let the cheese brown.
- Make it crispier! Broil the stuffed peppers for 2-3 minutes after baking.
- Customize the sauce: Try garlic-infused marinara or a spicy arrabbiata for a kick.
Pizza Stuffed Peppers Variations
When it comes to these stuffed peppers, keep in mind that all the toppings are approximate. There are no wrong answers, and you can add more or less of any of the ingredients that you want. Here are a few other ideas that you can add into your peppers to make them even more special:
- Black Olives – Adding some olives is so good and give you copper, vitamin E, iron, and calcium.
- Ground Beef – Hamburger is one of the most popular pizza toppings. Sprinkle in a little bit of cooked ground beef to make it even meatier!
- Ham – Chop up some ham and place it in the peppers. It’s a lovely flavor and adds a great texture too.
- Mushrooms – It’s almost impossible to have pizza without some mushrooms, right? Yum!
- Bacon – When you add bacon, it gives a fantastic salty flavor that goes well with the other meats.
- Onions – Any variety of onions would be perfect. Green, red, or even sweet white onions are fantastic in these pizza stuffed peppers.
- Cheddar Cheese – Either completely swap out the mozzarella for cheddar or add some cheddar to the mozzarella. Either way, it’s going to be super cheesy and low carb.
- Tomatoes – Garden fresh tomatoes are my favorite to add to these stuffed peppers, but sun-dried tomatoes would be a terrific idea as well.
These are just a few options, but you can add any of your favorite low carb pizza toppings to the stuffed peppers. Just make sure that you cook any meat prior to stuffing it in the peppers.
What to Serve with Pizza Stuffed Peppers?
Pair these cheesy stuffed peppers with:
- A simple side salad with balsamic dressing.
- Perfectly crisp and buttery Texas Toast Garlic Bread
- Cheesy, flaky Cheese Twists
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble these pizza-inspired stuffed peppers ahead of time and store them in the fridge for up to 24 hours before baking.
How do I store leftovers?
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
How do I reheat them?
- Use an air fryer at 350°F for 5-7 minutes to crisp up the cheese.
- Microwave for 1-2 minutes.
- Bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes.
These pizza-flavored stuffed peppers are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for busy weeknights. They satisfy your pizza cravings without the guilt and are a great way to sneak in some extra veggies. Give them a try and let me know your favorite topping variations!
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Meat Lover’s Pizza Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 3 Bell peppers, any color
- 8 ounces Mozzarella cheese
- 2 ounces Pepperoni, cut into small pieces
- 6 ounces Italian Sausage, cooked
- ¾ cup Pasta sauce, we use Rao’s Sensitive Marinara Sauce
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut each pepper in half and remove the seeds and the ribs (the white ridges inside the pepper). Place cut peppers in a baking dish.
- Place one tablespoon of sauce in the bottom of each pepper.
- Top with 1 ounce of Italian sausage, and pepperoni pieces.
- Add a small amount of mozzarella cheese, packing it into the pepper so it fills up the space.
- Place a second tablespoon of sauce on top of the mozarella, followed by a little more pepperoni, and enough mozzarella to finish filling the pepper.
- Place the baking dish in the oven and bake the peppers for 40 minutes. You will know they are done when the pepper begins to wrinkle around the edges and the cheese is fully melted.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition
