Beef and Chickpea Stuffed Bell Peppers are a hearty, wholesome twist on a classic comfort food. Packed with protein and flavor, this dish combines seasoned ground beef, tender chickpeas, rice, and spices inside sweet roasted bell peppers. It’s a satisfying and colorful meal that works well for dinner or meal prep.
The filling starts with ground beef sautéed with onions, garlic, and a warm blend of spices like cumin, paprika, and coriander. Chickpeas are added for extra texture and nutritional value, along with cooked rice to bind everything together. A bit of tomato paste or crushed tomatoes helps bring it all together with a touch of tang and moisture. Once the mixture is cooked and well-seasoned, it’s spooned into halved or hollowed-out bell peppers.
Roasting the stuffed peppers until they’re soft and slightly charred enhances their natural sweetness and brings out even more depth in the dish. A sprinkle of cheese on top is optional but adds a melty, golden finish if desired. For a dairy-free version, a drizzle of tahini or a spoonful of plant-based yogurt works beautifully too.
These peppers are great for serving a crowd or for making ahead and reheating during the week. You can also switch things up by using quinoa instead of rice, or lentils instead of beef for a vegetarian take.
Serve these stuffed bell peppers with a side salad or some crusty bread for a well-rounded meal. The combination of savory meat, creamy chickpeas, and sweet roasted pepper creates a balanced and flavorful dish that’s easy to love. It’s a simple way to get a lot of nutrients into one meal while still feeling comforting and familiar.

Ingredients
- 4 Bell peppers any color
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 can chickpeas drained and rinsed
- onion small, diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1 cup quinoa cooked
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside.
- In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the beef. Cook until the onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the chickpeas, cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Stir in the cooked quinoa and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Place the bell peppers in a baking dish and fill each one with the beef and chickpea mixture. Top with shredded cheddar cheese.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Honestly, it was just okay. A bit bland for my taste. Needed more spices.
So delish! I added some hot sauce for a kick, and it was perfect. Highly recommend it!
I was a little skeptical about using chickpeas in this recipe, but it actually worked out well. Surprised me.
I thought chickpeas would ruin it too, but they actually made it hearty! Totally love this combo.
Seriously? Chickpeas in beef? Sounds weird, but I guess if it worked for you… maybe I’ll try it. 🤔
Can you use turkey instead of beef? I don’t eat beef.
These stuffed peppers are AMAZING! So tasty and filling, my family loved them! Definitely making again!
Isn’t quinoa that bird food? I prefer rice myself.
I tried this and it turned out which was cool, but honestly, not as great as I thought it would be. Needed more flavor.
This recipe is amazing! The flavors blend so well together, and my family loved it. Definitely making it again!
Didn’t work out for me, my peppers were still crunchy after cooking. I am not a good cook tho. 😅
Gotta say, not a big fan of chickpeas. Took a risk and it didn’t pay off for me. 1 star.
Simple and easy to make for busy weeknights! I love that it’s healthy with the quinoa and chickpeas.
This is not how you make stuffed peppers! Where’s the rice? 😒
But you don’t need rice for this recipe! Quinoa is a great alternative. 👍
Easy to prep! I had my kids help with the stuffing part, made it a fun activity. 😊
Took me a bit longer than expected but worth it! Will definitely make it again. 👍
It took you longer? I thought it was quick to make, but maybe I’m just fast! 😂
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love stuffed peppers, they’re so versatile! 🌶️
Such a unique way to use bell peppers! Never thought of putting chickpeas in them. Brilliant!
I didn’t have chickpeas, so I used black beans instead. Still turned out great! 😋
Awesome recipe! Easy to follow and tastes great. 👍
Wow, who knew peppers could be this good? I added some hot sauce for extra kick! 🌶️
Yum! The cheese on top was the best part! Also, I used green peppers instead and they were perfect!
I love green peppers too! Makes it a bit different, nice choice! 😊
This dish was a hit with my family! So flavorful and filling. Will definitely make again!
So glad to hear it was a hit! Those flavors must’ve been amazing together. 😋
kind of boring, like why do chicken go in peppers? I dunno, taste not impressive.
I always mess up cutting the tops off the peppers! But still yummy.
I followed the recipe but used turkey instead of beef. It turned out fine-ish, but I think it lacks something. Maybe more cheese?
Yum, yum, yum!!! One of the best things I’ve made this month!
Followed the recipe but forgot the quinoa. It was still good but much less filling 😅
Great, but my kids didn’t eat it. They said it looked weird. 😂
Not my favorite. The beef was too greasy for my taste, but I guess that’s just me.
Why do you bake them so long? I cook mine for only 20 min and they come out perfect.
I don’t know, something about chickpeas doesn’t sit right with me. I left them out, and it was fine but kinda bland.
My kids won’t touch any of this. They said it looks like colored aliens. 😂
Ew, chickpeas! Yuck. I don’t see how this is a good dish.
Didn’t like the cheese on top. Maybe just skip that part if you don’t want it?
I totally agree! The cheese was too much for me too. Just omitting it makes it a great dish!
These were amazing! My whole family loved them. Will definitely make again!
These stuffed peppers were a hit at dinner! Super tasty and fulfilling.
I don’t think beef and chickpeas belong together. Seems weird.
I tried this but I think I messed up the spices. Too much cumin, I think. Might be better next time.
YUM! This was delicious, even my kids liked it! 🥰
That’s awesome! I love when kids enjoy veggies. Gonna try this for my family too! 😊
These stuffed peppers were a hit at our dinner! So flavorful and filling! 🤩
Yum! I made these for dinner and now I’m a chef! Thanks for the recipe! 😋
Wow, really? I thought you had to make more complicated stuff to be a chef. 😂 But sounds good!
That’s awesome! I love when a recipe turns out so well! Which color bell peppers did you use?
WOW! Easy to make and delicious! I skipped the cheese, but still soooo good!
Great to hear you liked it! Skipping the cheese might actually make it healthier too! I’m gonna try that next time.
I dunno, the combination of beef and chickpeas seems a bit weird. I might just stick to plain beef. But good for those who like it!
One of the easiest recipes I’ve tried! I added some hot sauce for extra kick.
Mad easy to make! I’m no chef, but even I nailed it. 😁
not good, only made it once and threw it away. not enough flavor!!
I found it to be pretty tasty! Maybe you just didn’t season it enough. Give it another shot! 😊
Who knew you can bake peppers? I thought they had to be cooked on stove. Anyway, it tasted nice!
This was a bit too spicy for me, even though I measured the spices. Next time I’ll cut back.
I don’t think the spices were too much! Maybe you just need to build up your spice tolerance. Try again, you might like it!