Easy Slow Cooker Pork Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a classic comfort food, and using a slow cooker to prepare them makes the process even easier. The slow cooking method allows the flavors to meld together beautifully, resulting in tender peppers filled with savory pork goodness. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a beginner in the kitchen, these slow cooker pork stuffed peppers are a perfect dish to try.

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Why Use a Slow Cooker?

Using a slow cooker offers several benefits:

1. Hands-Off Cooking: Once you’ve prepped the ingredients, the slow cooker does the rest of the work. Just set it and forget it!
2. Tenderness: Slow cooking helps break down the fibers in the pork, making it incredibly tender and flavorful.
3. Flavor Infusion: Cooking the peppers over several hours allows the spices and ingredients to blend together perfectly.
4. Versatility: You can easily modify the ingredients to suit your tastes or dietary needs.

Health Benefits Of Pork Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are not only delicious but also offer several health benefits:

• Rich in Vitamins: Bell peppers are high in vitamins A and C, which support eye health and immune function.
• Protein-Packed: The ground pork and rice provide a good source of protein and carbohydrates for energy.
• Fiber-Rich: Adding vegetables and whole grains can boost the fiber content, promoting digestive health.

Equipment Needed

• One slow cooker (I use one like this)
• Kitchen knife
• Measuring cups/spoons

Recipe: Easy Slow Cooker Pork Stuffed Peppers

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating these delightful stuffed peppers.

Ingredients:

• 3 medium bell peppers (any color, but red and yellow are sweeter) *See Note*
• 1 pound ground pork
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or even quinoa)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jar or homemade marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend), divided
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

How To Make Slow Cooker Pork Stuffed Peppers

1: Prepare the Peppers

1. Wash the bell peppers thoroughly.
2. Cut the pepper in half vertically and remove the seeds and membranes.

2: Make the Filling

1. In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, a half cup of marinara sauce, half of the shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
2. Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

3: Stuff the Peppers

1. Place a half cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the slow-cooker.
2. Fill each bell pepper with the pork mixture, packing it tightly.
3. Place the stuffed peppers in the slow cooker.

1. Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top of the peppers.

1. Cover peppers with the remaining marinara sauce.

4: Cook the Peppers

1. Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

5: Serve

1. Carefully remove the stuffed peppers from the slow cooker.
2. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
3. Serve hot and enjoy!

*A Note About The Peppers*

This recipe makes 6 half stuffed peppers. Feel free to use 6 whole peppers, slice the top off, remove the seeds/membranes, and stuff.

Tips for Success

• Choose Your Peppers Wisely: Opt for peppers that are similar in size so they cook evenly. Red, yellow, and orange peppers are sweeter, while green peppers have a slightly more bitter taste.
• Don’t Overstuff: While it might be tempting to cram as much filling as possible into each pepper, leaving a little room at the top ensures that the mixture cooks thoroughly.
• Experiment with Flavors: Feel free to experiment with different spices and herbs. Adding cumin or chili powder can give the dish a southwestern twist.
• Add Vegetables: Sneak in some extra veggies like chopped zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms for added nutrition and flavor.

Variations

Here are some delicious variations to pork stuffed peppers:

1. Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers

• Swap the Italian seasoning for taco seasoning.
• Add black beans, corn, and cilantro to the filling.
• Top with Monterey Jack cheese and serve with salsa and avocado.

2. Asian-Inspired Stuffed Peppers

• Replace Italian seasoning with soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil.
• Add chopped water chestnuts, carrots, and green onions to the filling.
• Top with a drizzle of teriyaki sauce and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.

3. Vegetarian Version

• Substitute the ground pork with chopped mushrooms, lentils, or tofu.

4. Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers

• Use ground lamb or beef instead of pork.
• Add feta cheese, olives, and oregano to the filling.
• Serve with a side of tzatziki sauce.

Looking for a delicious slow cooker stuffed zucchini recipe? Check out my crockpot turkey meatloaf in a zucchini ball recipe!

Conclusion

Slow cooker pork stuffed peppers are a fantastic dish for busy weeknights, family dinners, or meal prep. With their rich flavors and customizable options, they’re sure to become a favorite in your household. Give this recipe a try, and enjoy the comforting taste of perfectly cooked stuffed peppers. Don’t forget to experiment with different variations and share your creations with friends and family. What do you put in your stuffed peppers? Let me know in the comments below and as always, thanks for stopping by!

Easy Slow Cooker Pork Stuffed Peppers

dani

This easy set-and-forget slow cooker pork stuffed peppers recipe is a delicious and hearty meal. A little morning prep is all you need.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 6 hours hrs

Total Time 6 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 6 servings

Calories 270 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Slow cooker
• measuring cups/spoons

Ingredients

  

• 3 Bell peppers (any color, but red and yellow are sweeter) *See Note*
• 1 lb Ground pork
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or even quinoa)
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 jar Marinara sauce
• 1 cup Shredded cheese, divided (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp Smoked paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

 

Prepare the peppers:

• Wash the bell peppers thoroughly.
• Cut the pepper in half vertically and remove the seeds and membranes.

Make the filling:

• In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, cooked rice, chopped onion, minced garlic, a half cup of marinara sauce, half of the shredded cheese, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Stuff the peppers:

• Place a half cup of marinara sauce in the bottom of the slow-cooker.
• Fill each bell pepper with the pork mixture, packing it tightly.
• Place the stuffed peppers in the slow cooker.
• Sprinkle the remaining cheese over top of the peppers.
• Cover peppers with the remaining marinara sauce.

Cook the peppers:

• Cover the slow cooker with a lid and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4 hours.

Serve the peppers:

• Carefully remove the stuffed peppers from the slow cooker.
• Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
• Serve hot and enjoy!

Notes

*Calories are approximate

*A Note About The Peppers*

This recipe makes 6 half stuffed peppers. Feel free to use 6 whole peppers, slice the top off, remove the seeds/membranes, and stuff.

Keyword ground pork recipe, slow cooker recipe, slow cooker stuffed peppers, stuffed peppers recipe