Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers
Sweet bell peppers filled with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and garden herbs, baked to golden perfection. This italian-inspired vegetarian ready in about 48 minutes pairs large Bell peppers, San Marzano tomatoes, Fresh mozzarella for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 4 large Bell peppers
- 1 cup San Marzano tomatoes
- 8 oz Fresh mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Fresh basil
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
- 1/2 tsp Kosher salt
- 1/4 tsp Black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut 4 large bell peppers lengthwise, remove seeds and membranes, and place cut-side up in a baking dish.
- Step 2: In a bowl, combine 1 cup diced San Marzano tomatoes, 8 oz cubed fresh mozzarella, 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar, 1/2 tsp kosher salt, and 1/4 tsp black pepper; mix gently until combined.
- Step 3: Spoon the tomato-mozzarella mixture evenly into each pepper cavity, then drizzle 2 tbsp olive oil over the tops.
- Step 4: Bake uncovered for 25-28 minutes until peppers are tender and edges are slightly caramelized, with cheese melted and bubbly.
- Step 5: Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to meld.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 48 minutes (20 min prep + 28 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep large bell peppers from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Garden Center Caprese Stuffed Peppers?
Italian vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
The aroma while cooking this was absolutely heavenly.
- ★★★★★
Absolutely wonderful.