Hearty & Flavorful Stuffed Pepper Soup: An Easy Weeknight Meal for the Whole Family
Discover the ultimate comfort food with this incredibly easy and incredibly delicious **Stuffed Pepper Soup** recipe. It captures all the savory, homestyle flavors of classic stuffed peppers but transforms them into a hearty, satisfying bowl of soup. Packed with wholesome ingredients like tender brown rice, lean ground beef, robust tomatoes, and a colorful array of fresh bell peppers, this soup is a true family favorite. It’s not just delicious; it’s also designed to be low in carbs, high in fiber, and mindful of calories, making it a perfect choice for a healthy and fulfilling meal.

Imagine taking all the beloved, savory flavors from my classic Stuffed Peppers – the perfectly seasoned lean ground beef, the sweet and tangy tomatoes, the tender bite of brown rice, and the vibrant freshness of bell peppers – and serving them in a warm, comforting bowl. That’s precisely what this **Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup** delivers. It’s a culinary magic trick that brings all those familiar tastes together in a new, exciting, and wonderfully simple form. This soup is a total crowd-pleaser, guaranteed to satisfy even the pickiest eaters at your table.
This hearty soup is truly perfect for a healthy weeknight dinner. It’s brimming with bold, homestyle flavors that evoke a sense of warmth and coziness. From the first spoonful, you’ll quickly understand why this recipe has become one of my family’s most cherished meals. It’s an effortless way to bring wholesome goodness and incredible taste to your dinner table, making busy evenings a little bit brighter and a lot more delicious.
If you’re on the lookout for other warm, comforting, and delicious soup recipes to add to your rotation, I highly recommend trying my Instant Pot Vegetable Beef Soup for a quick and hearty option, or my unique Creamy Cabbage & Bleu Cheese Soup for something a little different yet equally satisfying!
WHAT IS STUFFED PEPPER SOUP?
Stuffed Pepper Soup is essentially a deconstructed version of traditional stuffed bell peppers, reimagined as a comforting and easy-to-eat soup. Instead of filling individual peppers, all the classic ingredients—ground meat, rice, tomatoes, and bell peppers—are cooked together in a savory broth, creating a rich and flavorful stew-like consistency. This recipe is incredibly versatile and can be customized to suit your family’s preferences and appetites, offering a wide array of delicious options. For example, you can easily transform it into a robust roasted red pepper soup by opting for fire-roasted tomatoes instead of regular diced tomatoes and using red bell peppers instead of green for a deeper, sweeter, and slightly smoky flavor profile. The beauty of this soup lies in its adaptability and the harmonious blend of ingredients that come together to create a truly satisfying meal.
You will absolutely fall in love with the comforting, warm, and rich flavors that develop in this soup. The carefully selected ingredients and spices blend together beautifully, creating a symphony of taste in every spoonful. Beyond its incredible flavor, the addition of tender rice provides a fantastic texture that adds to the soup’s heartiness, making it even more filling and satisfying. It’s a complete meal in a bowl, perfect for chilly evenings or any time you crave a wholesome, homestyle dinner.
Slow Cooker Stuffed Pepper Soup: Effortless Comfort
One of the simplest and most convenient ways to prepare this incredibly flavorful soup is by utilizing your slow cooker. The slow cooker method allows the flavors to meld and deepen over several hours, resulting in a wonderfully rich and tender soup with minimal effort. To make this delicious crockpot stuffed pepper soup, you’ll simply complete the initial browning of the ground beef and sautéing of the aromatics (steps one and two from the detailed recipe card instructions below) on the stovetop. This quick pre-step is crucial for building a strong flavor base.
Once your meat is browned and vegetables are fragrant, transfer this flavorful mixture, along with all the other ingredients – *except for the rice* – into your slow cooker. The rice is best added later to ensure it doesn’t become mushy during the long cooking process. Set your slow cooker to low, and let it gently simmer for approximately 6 hours. The slow, steady cooking process tenderizes the meat and vegetables beautifully, infusing the broth with all the wonderful tastes of bell peppers, tomatoes, and savory beef. It’s an incredibly easy and hands-off way to achieve a deeply satisfying and comforting meal, perfect for busy days when you want dinner ready when you walk through the door.
How to Store Leftover Stuffed Pepper Soup & Meal Prep Tips
Storing leftover Stuffed Pepper Soup is wonderfully straightforward, making it an excellent candidate for meal prepping. You can keep any remaining soup in an airtight container in the refrigerator for about 5 days, and it often tastes even better the next day as the flavors have had more time to deepen and meld.
However, my absolute favorite aspect of this pepper soup is how exceptionally well it freezes! This makes it a perfect dish for preparing in larger batches and enjoying throughout the month. I like to take the cooled leftovers and portion them out into individual, freezer-safe containers. This way, when my husband travels, or when I’m short on time and need a quick, wholesome meal, I have dinner ready as fast as I can thaw and reheat it. Freezing individual portions is also fantastic for those who live alone or for anyone looking to have healthy, homemade meals readily available without the fuss of cooking every night. Just pull a container from the freezer, thaw overnight in the fridge or gently reheat from frozen, and you’ve got a piping hot, delicious meal waiting for you.
What to Serve with Un-Stuffed Pepper Soup? Delicious Pairings
While this hearty stuffed pepper soup is incredibly satisfying and can easily stand alone as a complete meal, pairing it with the right side dishes can elevate your dining experience even further. If you’re looking for a refreshing and crisp salad to balance the richness of the soup, I highly recommend my Copycat Olive Garden Salad & Dressing for a taste of your favorite restaurant at home. Another fantastic option is my Loaded Spinach Salad with Homemade Creamy Roasted Garlic Dressing, which offers a delightful blend of textures and flavors.
Beyond salads, there are plenty of other delicious accompaniments. I often feel like this soup is hearty enough on its own, especially with the rice, but it’s also absolutely delicious when topped with some crunchy Homemade Croutons, which add a wonderful textural contrast and absorb some of the flavorful broth. Alternatively, a thick slice of warm, crusty bread, such as my Peasant Bread, is perfect for dipping and soaking up every last drop of the savory soup – a great way to “carb it up” a bit if you wish! For a truly comforting experience, consider a simple grilled cheese sandwich or a side of cornbread. The possibilities are endless for creating a perfectly balanced and utterly delicious meal around this Stuffed Pepper Soup.
INGREDIENTS FOR STUFFED GREEN PEPPER SOUP
Crafting the perfect Stuffed Pepper Soup relies on a balanced selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Each component plays a crucial role in building the soup’s robust flavor profile and comforting texture. Here’s a closer look at what you’ll need and why these ingredients are essential:
- Brown Minute Rice: This is a fantastic ingredient for adding substance and a satisfying, hearty texture to the soup without requiring a long cooking time. Minute rice cooks quickly, typically in just 10 minutes, making it ideal for incorporating right before serving to maintain its perfect al dente texture. Its nutty flavor also complements the other savory ingredients beautifully. Alternative: If you prefer a longer grain and don’t mind a longer simmer, regular white rice or even wild rice can be used. Just ensure it’s cooked separately or accounted for in the soup’s cooking time.
- Lean Ground Beef: As the primary protein, lean ground beef provides a rich, savory foundation for the soup. It’s packed with essential nutrients and antioxidants, making it a healthy and flavorful choice. Using lean ground beef helps reduce excess fat, contributing to a lighter soup without sacrificing taste. Alternative: For a lighter option or different flavor, ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent substitutes. You could also use Italian sausage (mild or spicy) for an added layer of flavor.
- Onion: A staple in many savory dishes, chopped onion adds a foundational aromatic sweetness and depth of flavor when sautéed, pairing wonderfully with the robust pepper and tomato notes. It softens and almost melts into the soup, enhancing the overall complexity.
- Green Bell Pepper: These crisp, vibrant peppers are a hallmark of stuffed pepper dishes. They are naturally low in carbs and an excellent source of nutrients, including Vitamin C. Green bell peppers offer a distinct, slightly bitter yet fresh flavor that provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweetness of tomatoes and other ingredients. They are not spicy, ensuring this soup is enjoyable for all palates.
- Vine Peppers (Tri-colored): Adding a mix of sweet vine peppers (often red, yellow, and orange) along with the green bell pepper enhances both the visual appeal and the flavor complexity of the soup. These peppers tend to be sweeter and milder than green ones, contributing a beautiful depth and natural sweetness that complements the savory beef and tangy tomatoes. Slicing them adds varied texture.
- Garlic: Indispensable in almost any stew or soup, fresh minced garlic provides a pungent, aromatic, and savory kick that elevates all the other flavors. It’s crucial for building a rich flavor base.
- Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes form the backbone of the soup’s tangy and slightly sweet base. They break down during simmering, releasing their juices and creating a rich, flavorful broth. Alternative: If you prefer a richer, slightly smoky flavor with a hint of spice, fire-roasted diced tomatoes are an excellent alternative and can transform the soup into a “roasted red pepper soup” experience.
- Tomato Sauce: This thickens and further enriches the flavor of the soup, providing a smoother, more intense tomato base compared to just diced tomatoes. It contributes to the soup’s comforting consistency and deep red color.
- Beef Broth: Combined with the tomato sauce and diced tomatoes, beef broth adds essential liquid and a savory depth, creating a well-rounded and cohesive soup base. It ensures the soup is moist and flavorful, allowing all the ingredients to simmer together perfectly. Alternative: Vegetable broth can be used for a slightly lighter flavor, or if you prefer to avoid beef products.
- Marjoram: A delicate and aromatic herb from the oregano family, marjoram is frequently added to tomato-based sauces and beef dishes to infuse a subtle, sweet, and slightly woody flavor. It brings a classic “stuffed pepper” taste that is both comforting and inviting.
- Salt and Pepper: Essential for seasoning and balancing all the flavors. Always add these to taste, adjusting as needed throughout the cooking process to ensure your soup is perfectly seasoned.
HOW TO MAKE STUFFED BELL PEPPER SOUP: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide
Making this hearty Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup is surprisingly simple and comes together in just a few straightforward steps. Follow these instructions for a delicious and comforting meal every time.
PREP: Building the Flavor Foundation

Begin by browning your lean ground beef in a large Dutch oven or a heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Season the beef with a generous pinch of salt and pepper as it cooks, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s evenly browned and no longer pink. This step is essential for developing deep, savory flavors. Once cooked, carefully drain any excess fat from the pot. This keeps the soup from being greasy and ensures a cleaner flavor profile.
MIX: Sautéing and Combining Aromatics
After draining the fat, add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the pot with the browned beef. Sauté these aromatics for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant. This step softens the vegetables and releases their sweet and savory notes. Next, incorporate the chopped green bell pepper and sliced vine peppers. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the peppers to slightly soften and their vibrant colors to intensify. Finally, pour in the diced tomatoes (undrained), tomato sauce, beef broth, and dried marjoram. Stir everything together well, ensuring all ingredients are combined and coated in the rich tomato base.
BOIL & SIMMER: Developing Rich Flavors
Bring the soup mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 20-30 minutes. This simmering period is crucial as it allows all the wonderful flavors to meld together and deepen, creating a harmonious and incredibly tasty broth. The vegetables will become tender, and the spices will infuse the entire soup with that classic stuffed pepper essence.
SERVE: The Final Touch

While the soup is simmering, prepare your brown minute rice according to package directions. You want the rice to be freshly cooked and warm. Right before serving, stir the prepared rice directly into the hot soup. This prevents the rice from getting mushy if added too early. Give it a gentle stir to combine, then ladle the piping hot Stuffed Pepper Soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of shredded cheese if desired, and serve immediately. Enjoy this wonderfully comforting and flavorful meal!
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Don’t let this incredible, warm, and comforting soup recipe get lost! Make sure to save it to your favorite recipe board on Pinterest before you go. Pin it now so you can easily find it whenever that stuffed pepper craving hits!
OTHER RECIPES YOU WILL ENJOY: More Stuffed Pepper Delights!
If you’ve visited my blog before, it’s probably no secret how much I absolutely adore anything involving stuffed peppers! The combination of savory meat, rice, and sweet bell peppers is just irresistible. I have tons of creative and delicious ways to enjoy the traditional flavors of stuffed peppers, including both classic renditions and some truly unique twists that I think you’ll love.
Here are some of my all-time favorites, perfect for when you’re craving those beloved stuffed pepper flavors in a different form:
- Stuffed Pepper Skillet: All the flavors of stuffed peppers cooked in one convenient skillet – perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal.
- Classic Stuffed Peppers (pictured above): The traditional recipe that started it all, a true staple in many homes.
- Stuffed Pepper Casserole: A comforting baked dish that turns stuffed peppers into an easy-to-serve casserole.
- “Stuffed Pepper” Meatballs: A fun and creative way to enjoy the flavors, perfect as an appetizer or a main course.
- Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers: A delicious fusion recipe that combines two beloved dishes into one incredible meal.
See ALL of my Soup Recipes
Now that you’re well-versed in the deliciousness and versatility of this dish, let’s get straight to the full recipe details! Get ready to enjoy a piping hot bowl of this incredible Stuffed Pepper Soup – it’s a meal that promises comfort, flavor, and satisfaction in every spoonful.
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Print Recipe
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Equipment
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12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
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AmazonBasics Enameled Cast Iron Covered Dutch Oven, 6-Quart, Blue
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Crock-Pot Cook & Carry 6-Quart Oval Portable Manual Slow Cooker
Ingredients
- 1 cup brown minute rice prepared (about 1 1/2 cups prepared)
- 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef browned and drained
- 1 onion chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper cut into smaller pieces
- 6 sweet vine peppers tri-colored, sliced
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 2 cans 14.5 oz of diced tomatoes
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 32 ounce container beef broth
- 1 teaspoon marjoram
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
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In a Dutch oven, brown ground beef with a little salt and pepper. Drain any excess fat.
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Add in the onion and garlic, and cook for about 5 minutes. Next, add in the peppers and cook for 5 minutes more.
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Pour in tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef stock and marjoram.
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Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
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Prepare your rice.
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Right before serving, add the rice.
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Serve hot.
Notes
This soup freezes really well!
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on September 11, 2013. It has been updated to improve user experience and reshared on April 27, 2022.


