Cozy Comfort in a Bowl: The BEST Crockpot Stuffed Green Pepper Soup Recipe You’ll Ever Make!
Hey friends — if you’re anything like me, when the week gets busy you crave something hearty, comforting, and easy. Enter my latest obsession: a stuffed green pepper soup recipe crockpot style that gives you all the flavour of stuffed bell peppers, but with less fuss and one pot to clean. Let’s cozy up and dive in!
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Why You’ll Love This Soup
This isn’t just any soup—it’s hearty, it’s healthy (yes, really!), and it’s built for the busy weeknight. Here’s why it hits all the right notes:
- Hearty & satisfying: With plenty of lean ground beef, tender bell peppers, rice (or your preferred grain), and a rich tomato-based broth, this is far from thin and watery—it’s full-on comfort food in a bowl.
- One-pot simplicity: This is a real one pot meal. You dump nearly everything into the slow cooker (aka crockpot), set it, and walk away. No stovetop babysitting required.
- Healthy-ish: We’re loading up on veggies (hello, green and red bell peppers!), using lean ground beef, and skipping heavy cream or extra butter. You’re still enjoying rich, delicious food—but in a more wholesome way.
- Perfect for busy weeknights: As a working/home-multi-tasking cook, I know the struggle. This is one of those “set it and forget it” dinners for busy weeknights that doesn’t compromise on flavour or homemade feel.
- Slow cooker convenience: Let the slow cooker do the work while you catch up on your day, pick up the kids, or just relax with a cup of tea.
Key Ingredients You’ll Need
Here’s the breakdown of what you’ll need and why each piece matters. Keep your shopping list handy!
- 1 lb lean ground beef — provides that satisfying, meaty texture and flavour. If you want a leaner swap, ground turkey or chicken work too.
- 3 large bell peppers (2 green, 1 red) — the star veggies in this homemade version of stuffed peppers. Green offers that classic colour and flavour; red adds sweetness and visual pop.
- 1 medium onion, chopped — a simple flavour base.
- 2 cloves garlic, minced — because garlic always makes everything better.
- 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes — adds hearty tomato flavour and liquid base.
- 1 (15-oz) can tomato sauce — deepens the tomato flavour and gives the soup body.
- 4 cups beef broth (or vegetable broth) — the liquid that pulls it all together, giving you that comforting “soup” feel versus just peppers in sauce.
- ½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice — gives body, makes it satisfying and filling. For a healthier twist, you can use brown rice or even cauliflower rice (see substitutions below).
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano, ½ teaspoon smoked paprika, salt & pepper to taste — simple seasonings, big impact.
- Optional: shredded cheese or chopped fresh parsley for topping — because toppings = joy.
How to Make It: Step-by-Step in the Slow Cooker
Let’s walk through the process together. You’re going to love how simple this is.
- In a medium skillet over medium heat, brown the ground beef until no pink remains. Drain any excess fat. (If you want to skip this step, you can dump raw ground beef into the slow cooker, but browning adds flavour.)
- Add the chopped onion and minced garlic into the skillet with the beef; sautĂ© for 2–3 minutes until the onion is translucent and fragrant.
- Transfer the beef-onion-garlic mixture into your slow cooker.
- Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked rice, oregano, smoked paprika, salt and pepper. Give a gentle stir to combine.
- Slice the bell peppers into strips or bite-sized pieces (whatever you prefer), then stir them into the slow cooker mixture.
- Cover and cook on Low for 6 to 8 hours, or High for 3 to 4 hours. (I usually set mine to Low in the morning and come home to a house that smells like heaven.)
- Before serving, taste and adjust seasoning if needed. If you like it thicker, remove the lid and let it cook uncovered for 10-15 minutes. If you like it soupsier, stir in a little extra broth.
- Spoon into bowls and top with shredded cheese or fresh parsley if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a simple salad, and enjoy!
Chef’s Tips for the Perfect Bowl
Here are a handful of my favourite little tweaks that take this from “good” to “Wow, I need seconds.”
- Want firmer bell pepper pieces? Add them in during the last hour instead of at the start — they’ll stay a bit more crisp.
- For extra flavour depth, sprinkle a splash of Worcestershire sauce in when you add the tomatoes.
- If you’re prepping for freeze-friendly meals, cook the full recipe, let it cool, portion into freezer‐safe containers, and freeze up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and reheat gently.
- Want to up the veggie quotient? Throw in a cup of frozen corn or a can of drained white beans in the last 30 minutes of cooking — still keeps it healthy and hearty.
Healthy Twists & Substitutions
Just because it’s hearty comfort food doesn’t mean you can’t make it even more health-forward.
- Low-carb version: Replace the rice with 2 cups of cauliflower rice. The cooking time remains the same.
- Lighter meat swap: Use 1 lb lean ground turkey or chicken in place of ground beef.
- Vegetarian version: Skip the meat entirely and substitute 2 cans of drained beans (like black beans or cannellini) + extra veggies like zucchini or mushrooms.
- Gluten-free: Ensure your broth is labeled gluten-free (many are) and use brown rice if you prefer whole grain.
What to Serve with It
Though this soup is totally a full meal on its own, here are a few side ideas to round it out:
- Warm crusty bread or garlic toast — perfect for dipping.
- A simple green side salad with a light vinaigrette to balance the richness.
- A sprinkle of shredded cheddar or a few tortilla chips for a fun twist.
Amazon Product Recommendations
Here are three items I absolutely recommend — they’ll make cooking, prepping, and storing this soup that much easier. (And yes, I personally love all three.)
- Crock-Pot Large 8-Quart Programmable Slow Cooker A reliable slow cooker that handles this soup beautifully. Set it, forget it, and let the flavour build while you go about your day. Great for busy weeknights.
- McCook® Knife Sets A solid knife set makes prepping those onions, garlic, and bell peppers a joy instead of a chore. If you cook often, good knives are a game-changer.
Final Thoughts: Cozy Comfort in Every Spoonful
There’s something truly special about coming home to the aroma of slow-cooked dinner ready and waiting. This stuffed green pepper soup recipe crockpot version checks all the boxes: hearty, healthy, easy, and utterly satisfying. Whether you’re cooking for yourself, your family, or prepping for the week ahead, it’s a one-pot meal you’ll want to make again and again.
Give it a try, soak in that cozy bowl of goodness, and let me know — what twist will you bring to your version? Enjoy!
Recipe adapted with love by your friendly home cook. Always feel free to personalize and make it your own.






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