Homemade sloppy joe stuffed peppers are loaded with seasoned ground beef and chunks of onions and peppers in a bright tomato sauce. Then they’re roasted until browned and bubbly. Enjoy!

I remember I loved Sloppy Joes when I was a kid — maybe because they were so messy and fun to eat. But, really, they’re delicious no matter what age you are. They’re always a great go-to meal on busy days because they come together so quickly. And you can even skip the bread for a low carb twist.

Today, I’ve stuffed peppers with homemade sloppy joe filling: ground beef, bell peppers, and onion in a tomatoey sauce.

When you roast the peppers in the oven, it takes the sloppy joe flavor to the next level.

A fantastic protein-packed option for hectic days since it comes together so fast. Sometimes I even skip stuffing the peppers, and serve the Sloppy Joe beef in bowls, paired with a cozy cup of soup as a tasty starter—like Easy Minestrone Soup or a quick Pea and Mint Soup.

My kids, who aren’t following a low-carb plan, enjoy theirs over rice with a Grilled Homemade Corn Muffin or on a toasted gluten-free Against the Grain roll, while I enjoy mine over Seasoned Cauliflower Rice With Bacon or creamy Cauliflower Mash. That way, everyone leaves the table happy and satisfied!

Sloppy Joe stuffed peppers are just one of my 22 low-carb ground beef options among my favorite beef recipes.

Let me show you how easy it is to make.

Ingredients

Along with the bell peppers you’ll be stuffing and ground beef for the filling, here are the remaining ingredients you’ll need.

Oil

Extra-virgin olive oil: Used to lightly oil the baking dish and sauté vegetables.

Vegetables

Green and Red bell peppers: Half of each will be used in the filling. Any color peppers will work, but red and yellow peppers tend to be sweeter.
Onion: Enhances the flavor of the filling.
Garlic: Adds aromatic depth of flavor.

Flavor enhancers

Thyme: A fragrant herb that adds an earthy flavor.
Salt: Essential for enhancing all the flavors in the dish.

Condiments and Sauce

Tomato sauce: Forms the base of the rich moist sloppy Joe filling.
Apple Cider vinegar: For a bright flavor boost!
and Worcestershire sauce (Lee & Perrins is gluten free): Adds a savory, tangy kick to the meat mixture.

Instructions

*Free printable recipe card is available at the end of the post.

Cut two of your peppers in half. Remove the seeds and membranes (you can do this with a spoon). Partially cook them in a slightly oiled baking dish in your preheated oven for about fifteen minutes.

Meanwhile, chop up half of another green pepper, half of a red pepper, and an onion and sauté in oil for about five minutes.

Add minced garlic, and cook for one more minute. Then transfer to a dish and set aside.

Now brown your beef in the same pan. Then add your tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and salt.

Finally, stir your vegetables back in with the beef and simmer for 10 minutes.

By now, your pepper halves should have become slightly softened in your oven. Take them out and fill them with your beef mixture. Divide the mixture between the halves, gently packing down the mixture.

Pop them back into the oven until hot and bubbly.

Serving suggestions

These stuffed peppers pair well with a side salad and Coleslaw With Sugar-Free Dressing for a refreshing crunch.

Pro tips and recipe notes

Today, I cut the peppers in half before stuffing them. Sometimes I just slice off the tops, remove the seeds and membranes with a spoon, and stuff them whole as I did in this Quinoa And Sausage Stuffed Peppers recipe.
Canned sloppy joe sauce can contain high fructose corn syrup and the seasoning packets can contain sugar. You can sweeten your homemade sauce with Stevia or your favorite sweetener if you prefer. I find this recipe to be tasty enough without it, but that’s up to you.
If beef isn’t your thing, you can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, ground pork, ground sausage, or ground lamb.
Variations: You can include diced zucchini, mushrooms, or corn to the filling for added flavor and nutrition. The sloppy joes meat is generally mild, but you can add hot sauce or diced jalapeños for some heat.
Make ahead! You can prepare the filling and stuff the peppers ahead of time. Just cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to bake.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat in the microwave or oven.

Voilà: nutritious and delicious low carb, sloppy joe stuffed peppers. This is budget-friendly, classic comfort food for sure.

More recipes with ground beef

25 Tasty Ground Beef Recipes – Easy and cheap ground beef recipes that are delicious for weeknight meals, special dinners, recipes for kids, and for when you need to feed a crowd.

Unstuffed Cabbage – Get dinner on the table with ease with this one pan unstuffed cabbage meal.

Zucchini Lasagna Casserole That Really Rocks – You’re sure to love this casserole; each mouthful keeps you salivating for the next bite.

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