Gefüllte Paprika (German Stuffed Peppers with Minced Beef and Rice)

In German home cooking, gefüllte Paprika are a hearty stuffed-pepper dish where whole peppers become both the vessel and the vegetable component of the meal. This version uses a savoury filling of minced beef, cooked rice, onion and sweet paprika, giving the centre a soft, well-seasoned texture without feeling heavy. As the peppers bake in tomato passata and beef stock, they turn tender and mellow while the sauce gathers the meat juices and gentle sweetness from the peppers. Serve them hot with plenty of the tomato sauce spooned over the top, finished with parsley for freshness.
Cuisine style German home cooking
Spice level Mild
Cooking style Make-ahead friendly • Freezer-friendly • Crowd-friendly
Time commitment Under 2 hours

Why this recipe works

  • Savoury depth: Softened onion, sweet paprika, beef stock and tomato passata give the filling and sauce a rounded, savoury flavour.
  • Comforting but balanced: Tender peppers, beef and rice make the dish hearty, while the tomato sauce keeps each serving moist and bright.
  • Reheats well: The peppers can be stored with their sauce, which helps protect the filling from drying out when reheated.

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Ingredient notes

  • Pepper choice: Green peppers give a slightly sharper, more savoury result; red peppers make the dish sweeter and milder.
  • Rice texture: Cook the rice until just tender and let it steam-dry before mixing, so the filling stays light rather than wet.
  • Use sweet paprika: Sweet paprika adds warmth and colour without turning the dish spicy.

Timing notes

  • Mostly oven time: The active work is mainly cooking the rice, softening the onion and stuffing the peppers; the oven handles the longer cooking stage.
  • Rest before serving: A short rest helps the filling settle and makes the peppers easier to serve neatly.
  • Serve hot: These are best served hot with plenty of tomato sauce spooned over each pepper.

Make-ahead tips

  • Prepare in advance: The peppers can be filled ahead and kept covered in the fridge before baking.
  • Reheat covered: Reheat with sauce in a covered dish at 180°C (355°F) until piping hot, adding a little water if the sauce has thickened.
  • Freezer-friendly: Freeze cooked portions with sauce, then defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

Authenticity notes

  • Home-style serving: Gefüllte Paprika are typically a practical family-style dinner, served as whole stuffed peppers with their tomato sauce.
  • Flexible filling: Beef and rice is a classic combination, but the exact filling often varies by household and pantry.

Equipment you'll need

Ingredients
Instructions
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  1. Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Cook the rice in a saucepan of salted water until just tender, then drain well and leave to steam-dry for a few minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, slice the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and white pith. Finely dice the onion and finely chop the parsley.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan over medium heat and cook the onion with a pinch of the salt until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Tip into a mixing bowl and let it cool slightly.
  4. Add the minced beef, cooked rice, most of the parsley (reserve a little for serving), sweet paprika, black pepper and the remaining salt to the bowl. Mix until evenly combined, but do not overwork it.
  5. Stuff the peppers firmly with the beef and rice mixture and sit them upright in a baking dish. If you have pepper tops, set them on like little lids.
  6. Stir the tomato passata and beef stock together, then pour around the peppers. Bake for 55 to 60 minutes, basting the peppers with sauce halfway through, until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.
  7. Rest for 5 minutes, then spoon plenty of sauce over each pepper. Finish with the reserved parsley and serve hot.

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Recipe notes

Tips

  • If the peppers start to brown too quickly, cover the dish loosely with foil for the final 15 to 20 minutes, then uncover to finish.
  • For the juiciest filling, avoid packing the mixture too tightly and do not overmix the minced beef.
  • If serving vulnerable groups, make sure the filling is piping hot all the way through before serving.

Substitutions

  • Replace Green pepper with red pepper for a sweeter, milder result.
  • Replace Medium-grain rice with basmati rice for a lighter, more separate texture in the filling.
  • Replace Beef stock with chicken stock for a gentler, less beefy sauce.

Storage

  • Refrigerate up to 3 days
  • Cool completely, then refrigerate in a sealed container with plenty of sauce. Reheat in a 180°C (355°F) oven, covered, for 20 to 25 minutes until piping hot; add a splash of water if the sauce has thickened. Freeze portions with sauce for up to 2 months and defrost overnight in the fridge before reheating.

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Recipe overview

  • Servings: 4 servings
  • Total time: 1h 25min (30min active)
  • Difficulty: Medium
  • Cuisine: German
Freezer friendly Kid friendly

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