Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Italian Beef & Rice
We got home late after practice and needed to get a healthy dinner on the table—fast. Instead of making another trip to the grocery store, we looked through the refrigerator and pantry and found everything we needed for these stuffed peppers.
With seasoned ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and bell peppers, this meal comes together quickly and is hearty enough to satisfy the whole family. The best part? You can cook the beef ahead of time, making this an even easier weeknight dinner when everyone is hungry and schedules are packed.
Quick, healthy, flavorful, and made with what we already had—that's a weeknight win in our kitchen.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Italian Beef & Rice made in an air fryer are simple, fast, and bursting with flavor.
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Italian Beef & Rice Ingredients
For the Ground Beef
2 pounds grass-fed ground beef
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
For the Rice
Rice, prepared according to package directions
For the Tomato Mixture
½ onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons garlic powder
2 tablespoons Italian seasoning
Black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste
For the Peppers
4 large bell peppers
Avocado oil or olive oil spray
Fresh peppers ready to be air fried Peppers taken right out of the air fryer Stuffed peppers tomato mixture
Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers with Italian Beef & Rice Instructions
1. Cook the Rice
Prepare the rice according to the package directions. Set aside when finished.
2. Cook the Ground Beef
Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Add the diced onion, garlic, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning. Season with salt and black pepper to taste. Continue cooking until the onion is softened and the beef is fully cooked.
3. Make the Tomato Mixture
While the beef cooks, add the crushed tomatoes, onion, garlic, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt to a saucepan.
Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for about 8–10 minutes, allowing the flavors to come together.
4. Combine the Filling
Add the tomato mixture to the cooked ground beef and stir to combine.
Warm everything together for a few minutes.
Stir in the cooked rice until you have a hearty beef, tomato, and rice filling.
5. Prepare the Peppers
Wash the bell peppers and cut off the tops. Remove the seeds and membranes from inside.
Lightly spray the peppers with avocado oil or brush them with olive oil.
6. Air Fry the Peppers
Preheat your air fryer to 390°F.
Place the peppers upright in the air fryer basket and cook for 10–12 minutes, until they begin to soften and the edges start to brown.
7. Stuff the Peppers
Carefully remove the peppers from the air fryer and fill them generously with the beef, tomato, and rice mixture.
Return the stuffed peppers to the air fryer and cook for another 1–2 minutes if you want the tops and edges a little more crisp.
Serve hot and enjoy!
Sizzling Tip: Cook the Beef Ahead
Want to make this dinner even easier?
Cook the seasoned ground beef the night before and keep it refrigerated. Then, when you're ready to make stuffed peppers, simply prepare the tomato mixture, combine it with the beef, add your cooked rice, and stuff the peppers.
And don't stop at stuffed peppers! Make extra beef and use it throughout the week for tacos, salads, rice bowls, or burrito bowls.
That's one of our favorite ways to make one cooking session work for several meals.
Optional Add-Ins
Want to change things up? Try adding:
Shredded mozzarella or Parmesan on top
Chopped spinach
Diced mushrooms
Red pepper flakes for extra heat
Fresh basil or parsley
Storage
Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days.
Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F for 5–8 minutes, or until heated through. You can also reheat them in the microwave, although the air fryer will help bring back some of the crispness.
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