Packed with flavors and filled with juicy stuffing, it’s hard to beat stuffed peppers as family favorites. A classic recipe typically calls for ground beef, onion, tomato, rice, vegetables, Italian seasoning, and of course topped with lots of cheese.
Luckily, bell peppers are an incredible vessel for various stuffing and hold up the structure very well in the oven. So, you can always swap the meat with turkey, chicken and even make it vegetarian. You can practically use any ingredients you have in the kitchen.
As you would have known, stuffed bell peppers are one of those recipes that are bound to be prepared in large quantities. This might sound daunting if you live alone.
But, guess what. Even the leftovers taste just as phenomenal! Whether you live alone or in a big family, you can always make an entire batch and freeze some pieces for a quick meal during busy days!
Stuffed peppers are a great choice for make-ahead and freezer meals. The only thing to do is heat up stuffed peppers properly, so they look and taste as wonderful as fresh off the oven!
Keep reading to learn the simple ways how to reheat stuffed peppers for your quick lunch, dinner, or any meal of the day!
Option 1: Reheating Stuffed Peppers in A Microwave
There are two easy ways to reheat stuffed peppers, in the oven or in the microwave. Either way, they should be reheated thoroughly until the interior reaches a safe temperature of 165 °F.
Let’s start with everyone’s go-to option, the microwave. It’s completely convenient and a no-brainer. Fortunately, this savory baked dish reheats pretty well in this appliance.
The only drawback is the peppers tend to become soggy and watery. Other than that, reheating in the microwave is a decent way when you’re in a hurry or to reheat one portion size. Rest assured, you can bring some leftovers to work and make your colleagues jealous with your warm, mouthwatering lunch!
Here is how to heat up leftover stuffed peppers in the microwave:
1. Place the pieces on a suitable plate or container with the top side facing upward. Be careful when transferring them to the plate, so the filling won’t leak out.
2. Microwave for ± 2 minutes over high power. After that, check and see if they are already reheated thoroughly to the center. If not, continue reheating at 15-second intervals.
Stop immediately once they are steaming hot. If heated up for too long, the peppers will be overcooked, resulting in a mushy and watery texture.
3. Finally, it’s time to serve!
Option 2: Reheating Stuffed Peppers in the Oven
To reheat a large portion, your oven is the best method. You can reheat several pieces at a time without worrying that they won’t be reheated evenly.
Keep in mind to leave enough space between them and never stack them. If dealing with tons of them, better to work in several rounds.
Here is how to warm up stuffed peppers in the oven:
1. Preheat your oven to 350 °F (176 °C). This temperature is ideal for reheating properly without burning the food.
2. Lay the stuffed peppers on a casserole pan or a baking sheet, as long as the vessel fits their height. Place them with the top side facing upward. Leave enough space between them and don’t put them on top of each other.
3. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for ± 15 minutes.
4. Next, carefully remove the foil. Return the dish back to the oven and bake for another 5 minutes. This second stage of baking aims to melt the cheese and crisp up the edges.
5. When they are bubbly and nicely reheated, it’s done! Remove from the oven, transfer to a serving plate, and enjoy immediately.
FAQs
How do you keep stuffed peppers from getting soggy?
Make sure that they are refrigerated/ frozen once they are cool enough, not warm. Next, reheat them in the oven instead of the microwave. Lastly, always drain off the ground meat after cooking, so the stuffing won’t be watery.
You can also substitute rice with quinoa or add a tablespoon of oat to reduce the water content.
How long do cooked stuffed peppers last in the fridge?
They can stay fresh for 3 to 4 days, depending on the freshness of the ingredients and what is in the stuffing. Ensure to transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate them within 1 to 2 hours after cooking.
Can you freeze and reheat stuffed peppers?
Definitely! In fact, this baked dish is one of the ideal choices for freezer meals because they hold up the freezer quite well and can be warmed up quickly to taste fresh.
To freeze, wrap them individually in plastic wrap before packing them in a resealable freezer bag. Freeze for up to 2 to 3 months for their maximum freshness. Reheat them in the oven shortly before serving.
The Bottom Line
Stuffed peppers are usually a big hit in parties and potluck dinners. They are also an excellent choice for a make-ahead freezer meal.
Whether you have frozen stuffed peppers or leftovers, this baked dish reheats wonderfully and can taste like its fresh counterpart.
The best reheating method is using the oven. But, if you plan to bring leftovers to work, you can undoubtedly reheat them in the microwave. No-fuss, no hassle.
Check our step-to-step guide to reheat stuffed peppers, so they taste as wonderful as freshly baked!
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
