Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous
Colorful and hearty, these stuffed capsicums combine tender lamb, fluffy couscous, and aromatic herbs for a satisfying vegetarian and meat-eater-friendly dish. This australian-inspired beef (vegetarian option) ready in about 55 minutes pairs bell peppers, minced lamb, couscous for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 400 calories and feeds 6, 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
- 6 bell peppers
- 500g minced lamb
- 200g couscous
- 1 onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tbsp oregano
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Halve bell peppers, remove seeds, and place in a baking dish. In a skillet, cook 500g minced lamb with 1 finely chopped onion and 3 minced garlic cloves until browned. Add 2 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp oregano, 1 tsp salt, and 2 tbsp olive oil. Simmer for 10 minutes.
- Step 2: Cook 200g couscous in 250ml boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain. Stir couscous into lamb mixture. Stuff into pepper halves, cover with foil, and bake for 30 minutes until tender. Serve warm.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (25 min prep + 30 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 Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous?
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 bell peppers from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous?
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 Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). 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.
Is Stuffed Capsicum with Minced Lamb and Couscous vegetarian option?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian option based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.