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Stuffed Pepper Soup

A cozy, one-pot soup that delivers all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers without the fuss, perfect for chilly evenings and meal prep.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Main Course, Soup
Cuisine: American
Calories: 320
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Soup
  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey
  • 1 large onion, diced
  • 2-3 bell peppers, diced (any colors)
  • 3-4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
  • 4 cups broth (beef or chicken)
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tsp sugar (optional) to balance the tomatoes
  • 1 cup rice (cooked or uncooked) 1/2 cup uncooked if simmering in the pot
  • Olive oil (for cooking, if needed)
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Heat a large pot over medium-high. Add the ground beef or turkey and break it up. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Cook until browned with crispy bits along the bottom. If there’s excess grease, spoon off most of it.
  2. Add diced onion and peppers to the pot with a drizzle of oil if needed. Sauté for 5 to 7 minutes until softened and fragrant. Stir in garlic and cook for 30 seconds more.
  3. Stir in crushed tomatoes, diced tomatoes, broth, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, and sugar if using. Scrape the bottom of the pot to lift all the browned flavor into the soup.
Cooking
  1. Bring to a gentle boil, then drop the heat to low and simmer for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust salt.
  2. If using uncooked rice, stir in 1/2 cup and simmer another 15 to 20 minutes until tender, adding a splash of broth if it gets too thick. If using cooked rice, stir in 1 to 1½ cups during the last 5 minutes just to warm through.
  3. Taste again for salt and pepper. Ladle into bowls and top with shredded mozzarella or cheddar, fresh parsley, and a dollop of sour cream if you like.

Notes

This soup is even better the next day as the flavors settle in. If storing, cook the rice separately and add to each bowl for best texture. Garnish with cheese or sour cream for an extra touch.