Costco Stuffed Peppers Overview
Costco’s Kirkland Signature Stuffed Bell Peppers are a convenient, ready-made meal that combines savory ingredients with home-cooked flavor. Designed to satisfy both taste and nutritional needs, these stuffed peppers are a go-to item for busy families and health-conscious shoppers.
What’s Inside?
Each pepper is made from:
- Fresh red bell peppers
- Seasoned ground beef
- Cooked white rice
- Tomato-based sauce
- Shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese blend
These ingredients are pre-assembled and fully cooked, making reheating in the oven or microwave quick and simple. On average, one package contains six halves (about 3 full peppers) and weighs approximately 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg).
Why They’re Popular
The stuffed bell peppers are one of Costco’s most praised prepared meals for a few key reasons:
- Convenience: Just heat and serve
- Flavor: Well-seasoned and hearty
- Portion size: Each half is filling enough for a full meal
- Balanced composition: Includes protein, carbs, and fat in one portion
These peppers are often featured in Costco fan groups and food blogs for their reliability and crowd-pleasing nature.
Related Recipes to Explore
If you love Costco’s version, you might want to try homemade or related recipes:
- Stuffed Peppers – Recipes2Gather
- Costco Quinoa Salad – Recipes2Gather
- Calories of a Grilled Cheese Sandwich
Costco Stuffed Peppers Calories Breakdown
When it comes to calorie-conscious convenience meals, Costco’s stuffed bell peppers strike a reasonable balance between portion size and caloric content. However, understanding the full calorie breakdown is crucial, especially if you’re tracking your daily intake.
How Many Calories Are in Costco Stuffed Peppers?
A single stuffed pepper half (approximately 280–300g) contains:
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving (1 half pepper) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 350–400 kcal |
| Total Fat | 17–20 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8–10 g |
| Cholesterol | 70–80 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 25–30 g |
| Fiber | 3–4 g |
| Sugars | 5–7 g |
| Protein | 24–26 g |
| Sodium | 700–900 mg |
These values may vary slightly depending on your Costco location and the specific batch, but these are average estimations based on multiple user entries across nutrition databases like MyFitnessPal, FatSecret, and EatThisMuch.
Portion Sizes Matter
The standard tray at Costco contains 6 pepper halves, each one suitable as a standalone serving. That means the entire package comes to approximately:
- Total Calories (tray): 2,100–2,400 kcal
- Total Protein (tray): 140–156g
- Total Fat (tray): 102–120g
If you’re managing portion control or meal prepping, dividing the pepper halves or pairing them with low-calorie side dishes like a salad can help balance out your daily calorie goals.
For Calorie Comparisons
To put things in perspective, check out our calorie-focused guides on similar meal options:
Costco Stuffed Peppers Nutrition Facts
While calories are often the first concern for health-conscious consumers, the complete nutritional profile of Costco’s Stuffed Bell Peppers provides deeper insight into whether this convenient dish fits your diet.
Below is a full breakdown of the average nutrition facts per 1 stuffed pepper (about 300g):
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving | % Daily Value (DV) (based on 2,000 kcal diet) |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 370 kcal | — |
| Total Fat | 18 g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat | 9 g | 45% |
| Trans Fat | 0 g | 0% |
| Cholesterol | 75 mg | 25% |
| Sodium | 850 mg | 37% |
| Total Carbohydrates | 27 g | 10% |
| Dietary Fiber | 3 g | 11% |
| Total Sugars | 6 g | — |
| Protein | 25 g | 50% |
| Calcium | ~200 mg | 15% |
| Iron | ~2 mg | 11% |
| Vitamin C | ~60 mg (from bell peppers) | 70% |
Macronutrient Profile
- Protein-Rich: With 25g of protein per serving, these peppers can support muscle maintenance and satiety, making them a viable post-workout meal.
- Moderate Carbs: The rice and tomato sauce contribute to a moderate carbohydrate load.
- High in Fat: Much of the fat content comes from cheese and beef, which contributes both to taste and satiety.
Micronutrient Highlights
- Vitamin C: Bell peppers are naturally rich in vitamin C, providing over half of your daily requirement.
- Calcium: From the cheese content, supporting bone health.
- Iron: From beef, helping with oxygen transport in the blood.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten-Free? Not certified. While the ingredients themselves are generally gluten-free, there may be a risk of cross-contact during production.
- Keto-Friendly? Moderate-to-high carb content (~27g per serving) may not fit strict keto diets.
- Low Carb Alternative? Consider preparing your own stuffed peppers with alternatives like cauliflower rice or lean ground turkey for a lighter version.
Related Reading on Nutritional Choices:
Are Costco Stuffed Peppers Healthy?
Costco’s stuffed bell peppers may be convenient and tasty, but how do they measure up from a nutritional and health perspective? Let’s break it down based on their macronutrient balance, ingredient quality, and suitability for different diets.
Health Pros
1. High in Protein
With approximately 25g of protein per pepper, this meal supports satiety and muscle maintenance, making it ideal for active individuals or those on high-protein diets.
2. Whole Food Ingredients
The dish includes real food components like fresh bell peppers, ground beef, tomato sauce, and rice, without excessive artificial additives or preservatives.
3. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals
- Bell peppers provide vitamin C, which helps strengthen your immune system.
- Beef is a good source of iron, essential for producing healthy red blood cells.
- Calcium from cheese contributes to bone health.
Health Cons
1. High in Saturated Fat
Each pepper contains around 9g of saturated fat, which is about 45% of the recommended daily value. While not inherently harmful in moderation, regular intake may be a concern for individuals managing cholesterol or heart conditions.
2. Elevated Sodium Levels
With 850 mg of sodium per serving, this meal reaches about 37% of the daily recommended limit. For people with hypertension or salt sensitivity, this is significant.
3. Moderate Carbohydrate Load
The rice and sauce contribute 27g of carbs per pepper, which may not be ideal for those following low-carb or ketogenic diets.
Verdict: Are They Healthy?
Yes, in moderation.
Costco stuffed peppers can be part of a healthy diet when paired with lower-sodium sides (like a green salad) and consumed occasionally. They’re a better option compared to fast food or ultra-processed frozen meals, especially thanks to the balance of protein and whole ingredients.
Tips to Make It Healthier
- Serve with steamed veggies to add more fiber and essential vitamins to your meal.
- Add a slice of avocado for healthy fats instead of eating two pepper halves.
- Use only half the cheese topping if you reheat at home and want to reduce saturated fat.
Explore More Balanced Dishes:
Related Recipes You’ll Love
- Stuffed Peppers: A full guide to making homemade stuffed peppers with your choice of meat, grains, and cheese.
- Costco Quinoa Salad: A perfect light and protein-rich side dish to pair with a stuffed pepper.
- Calories of a Grilled Cheese Sandwich: Compare this comfort classic to see how your favorite foods measure up nutritionally.
- Cottage Cheese Flatbread: A protein-packed, low-carb side that pairs well with hearty main dishes like stuffed peppers.
- Protein Mac and Cheese: Looking for high-protein comfort food? This one keeps you full longer with better nutrition.
Trusted Related Ressources
To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the nutritional information in this article, we’ve referred to credible sources widely recognized in the nutrition and food tracking space. These links offer further details and allow readers to verify calorie counts, macronutrient ratios, and ingredient data for Costco’s Stuffed Bell Peppers.
Authoritative Nutrition Databases
- Eat This Much – Costco Stuffed Bell Peppers Nutritional Profile
A detailed analysis of macronutrients per serving, including fats, proteins, and carbs. - FatSecret – Costco Stuffed Peppers
User-reported and verified data for tracking calories, vitamins, and minerals per portion. - USDA FoodData Central (for general comparison)
A trusted source for checking similar food items and their verified nutritional values.
Health and Dietary Guidance
- American Heart Association – Saturated Fat Recommendations
Understand how saturated fat intake can affect cardiovascular health. - Mayo Clinic – Sodium: How to tame your salt habit
Learn why high sodium levels matter and how to moderate them in your diet.
Costco Stuffed Peppers Calories and Nutrition
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
These Costco-inspired stuffed bell peppers are a hearty and flavorful dish made with seasoned ground beef, rice, tomato sauce, and melted cheese—all baked inside sweet red bell peppers. Perfect for meal prep or a satisfying weeknight dinner, this recipe replicates the comfort and convenience of Costco’s classic with even fresher flavors at home.
Ingredients
- 6 large red bell peppers, halved and seeds removed
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 lb ground beef (85/15 preferred)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 ½ cups cooked white rice
- 1 ½ cups marinara or tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)
- 1 ½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Prepare bell peppers by cutting them in half lengthwise and removing seeds and membranes. Place them cut-side up in a baking dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Sauté onions for 3–4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.
- Add ground beef to the skillet. Cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spatula. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Season the beef with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir in cooked rice and marinara sauce. Mix until well combined and heated through.
- Spoon the mixture evenly into each pepper half. Top each with a little extra sauce if desired.
- Sprinkle mozzarella and parmesan cheese over the stuffed peppers.
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake an additional 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and slightly golden.
- Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.
Notes
- Make it low-carb: Substitute cauliflower rice for white rice.
- Storage: Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- Spice it up: Add red pepper flakes or chopped jalapeños to the filling for extra heat.
- Protein options: Ground turkey or chicken work well as substitutes for beef.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper half
- Calories: 370
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3.5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
FAQs: Costco Stuffed Peppers
On average, one stuffed bell pepper half from Costco contains 370 calories. This includes calories from ground beef, white rice, cheese, and tomato sauce.
Yes, in moderation. They’re high in protein and made from mostly whole ingredients. However, they also contain moderate-to-high amounts of sodium and saturated fat, so pairing with fresh vegetables or salads is recommended for a balanced meal.
While the ingredients are naturally gluten-free, they are not labeled gluten-free, so cross-contamination is possible. Those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should proceed with caution.
Yes, these peppers freeze well. You can freeze them directly in their packaging or transfer to airtight containers. Reheat from frozen at 350°F (175°C) for about 45–50 minutes.
Unopened, they last up to 5–6 days in the refrigerator. Once opened or cooked, consume within 2–3 days for optimal freshness and safety.
Not ideally. Each pepper contains about 27g of carbohydrates, primarily from rice and tomato sauce. For strict keto diets, this exceeds typical daily carb limits.
Yes. While oven-baking gives better texture, you can microwave them covered for 6–8 minutes, depending on your microwave’s wattage. Make sure the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).