PF
A vibrant selection of grilled yellow and red bell peppers showcasing delicious roasted textures.
Stovetop~40 minComplexity

Unstuffed Bell Peppers

Unstuffed Bell Peppers deliver 22g protein and 408 calories per serving, bridging the gap between adequate protein and calorie-controlled dinners. This stovetop recipe makes 6 servings in under 30 minutes, letting you batch-prep a full week of sides or light meals. The vegetable base supports recovery without excessive carbs if you're dialing in your macro ratios.

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Ingredients

6 servings
  • Garlic(60g)
  • Yellow Onion
  • Bell Pepper
  • Olive oil(15g)

    Regular (not extra-virgin) olive oil for high-heat cooking. EVOO for dressings.

  • 80/20 Ground Beef(227g)
  • Canned Diced Tomatoes(425g)
  • White Rice(240g)
  • Basil, Fresh(5g)
  • Oregano, Dried(5g)
  • 1/4 tsp freshly cracked black pepper ($0.02)
  • Low Sodium Beef Broth(360g)
  • Tomato Sauce(227g)
  • Worcestershire Sauce(5g)

    Lea & Perrins is the standard. A little goes a long way.

  • Mozzarella Cheese(240g)

    Part-skim mozzarella. Pre-shredded bags are convenient for meal prep.

  • 1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional garnish) ($0.05)

Instructions

  1. 1Mince the garlic and dice the onion and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces.
  2. 2Heat the olive oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon, until no longer pink and browned throughout.
  3. 3Add the diced onion, bell pepper, and minced garlic to the skillet. Stir and cook for 3–4 minutes over medium heat until the onions are softened and translucent.
  4. 4Stir in the fresh basil, dried oregano, diced tomatoes with juices, uncooked rice, beef broth, and Worcestershire sauce. Bring to a simmer, then cover with a lid, reduce heat to low, and cook for 15 minutes until the rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  5. 5Remove from heat and let rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Remove the lid and fluff gently with a fork, folding the mixture to combine any floating peppers and tomatoes back in.
  6. 6Stir in the tomato sauce until combined, then sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover with the lid and let sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  7. 7Divide evenly into 6 airtight containers while hot. Cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating, or seal immediately for meal prep storage.

Nutrition — Per Serving

408

calories

22g

protein

17g

fat

Carbohydrates
42g
Saturated fat
7.4g
Sodium
626 mg
Dietary fiber
3.0g

6 servings per batch · ~302g each

Macro data sourced from USDA FoodData Central

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Common questions

How much protein does Unstuffed Bell Peppers have per serving?

Each serving provides 22g of protein and 408 calories, with 17g fat and 42g carbs. The balanced macronutrient profile with moderate carbs makes this a complete meal rather than a side dish.

How long does Unstuffed Bell Peppers take to prep?

This quick prep recipe batch-preps 6 servings on the stovetop, giving you multiple complete meals ready for the week with one cooking session.

Is Unstuffed Bell Peppers good for muscle gain?

At 408 calories with 22g protein and 42g carbs per serving, this recipe provides solid carbohydrate support for training while delivering moderate protein for muscle maintenance. The vegetable base adds micronutrient density alongside the macros.

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