Stuffed Pepper Soup takes the beef, sausage, bell peppers, tomatoes, and rice you would expect in stuffed peppers and turns them into an easy one-pot dinner. There is no filling or baking individual peppers, and the rice makes the broth hearty enough to serve as a full meal.
I like the mix of Italian sausage and lean ground beef here because the sausage brings seasoning while the beef keeps the soup from becoming too rich. Red and green bell peppers soften directly in the broth, so you still get that familiar stuffed-pepper flavor without a separate baking step.
The rice is the part I watch most closely. It thickens the soup as it cooks and keeps absorbing broth after the pot comes off the heat, so I cook it until tender rather than depending on one exact number of minutes.
Ingredient Notes
Italian sausage and ground beef: Brown both well and drain the excess grease before adding the broth. That keeps the finished soup hearty without leaving a greasy layer on top.
Bell peppers: Using one green and one red pepper gives you a balance of slightly grassy and sweeter pepper flavor.
Diced tomatoes with salsa: Use a 14.5-ounce canned tomato product with salsa or salsa-style seasoning. If your store does not carry one, plain diced tomatoes plus a small spoonful of mild salsa is a practical substitute.
Rice: Jasmine rice is a good choice, but brands and rice varieties do not all cook at the same speed. Use the package timing as a guide and stop when the grains are tender.
Ingredients
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, finely chopped
- 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, chopped
- 4 cups low-sodium beef broth
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes with salsa
- 3/4 cup raw rice, such as jasmine
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
How to Make Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Add the Italian sausage and ground beef to a large pot over medium heat. Break the meat into small crumbles as it browns.
- When the meat is partly browned, add the onion and both bell peppers. Continue cooking until the meat is cooked through and the vegetables begin to soften.
- During the final minute, reduce the heat slightly and add the garlic. Stir constantly so it does not burn.
- Drain excess fat from the pot.
- Add the beef broth, chicken or vegetable broth, and diced tomatoes with salsa. Bring the soup to a gentle simmer.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the peppers are beginning to soften.
- Stir in the rice, cover, and cook until the rice is tender. Use the package directions for your rice as a timing guide.
- Taste and season with salt and black pepper. Serve while the soup is still brothy and hot.
How to Keep the Soup from Getting Too Thick
Rice keeps absorbing liquid even after it is cooked. If you are serving the soup right away, that usually is not a problem. For leftovers, I keep extra broth nearby and stir in a splash while reheating.
If I know I want to freeze part of the batch, I prefer cooking the rice separately and adding it to individual bowls. That keeps the rice from becoming overly soft after freezing and reheating.
Easy Variations
You can use all ground beef if you do not want sausage. The soup will be milder, so taste the broth near the end and add more seasoning if needed.
For a little heat, use hot Italian sausage or add a pinch of crushed red pepper. For a milder pot, stick with sweet Italian sausage and mild salsa-style tomatoes.
Storage and Reheating
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. Reheat gently and add broth or water as needed to loosen the soup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use only ground beef?
Yes. The sausage adds extra seasoning and richness, but an all-beef version works well too.
Why did my stuffed pepper soup get too thick?
The rice continues absorbing broth after cooking. Stir in more broth during reheating until the soup reaches the consistency you like.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. For the best texture, either keep a little extra broth for reheating or cook the rice separately and add it when serving.
More Ground Beef Comfort Food
If you like these flavors, try Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole or Ground Beef Casserole. You can also browse more easy beef recipes and soup recipes.
