Stuffed bell peppers

Absolutely! Here’s a classic and hearty recipe for Stuffed Bell Peppers — tender bell peppers filled with a savory mix of meat, rice, vegetables, and cheese. Perfect as a comforting main dish for any night of the week!

🫑 Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients:

• 4–6 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed

• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or sausage)

• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)

• 1/2 cup onion, finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained

• 1/2 cup tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp black pepper

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack), divided

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• Optional: fresh parsley for garnish

🧑‍🍳 Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

• Preheat to 375°F (190°C).

• Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold all the peppers.

2. Prep the Bell Peppers:

• Slice off tops and remove seeds and membranes.

• If desired, parboil the peppers in boiling water for 3–4 minutes to soften slightly, then drain.

3. Cook the Filling:

• In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

• Sauté onion for 3–4 minutes until softened, then add garlic and cook 1 minute more.

• Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

• Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1/2 cup cheese. Mix well.

4. Stuff the Peppers:

• Spoon the mixture into each pepper, packing it in.

• Place stuffed peppers in the baking dish upright.

• Spoon a bit of extra tomato sauce over the tops.

5. Bake:

• Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

• Uncover, top each with remaining cheese, and bake another 10–15 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

6. Serve:

• Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

✅ Tips & Variations:

• Swap rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lighter option.

• Add black beans or corn for a Southwestern twist.

• Use marinara instead of plain tomato sauce for extra flavor.

• Freeze extras before baking for a future easy dinner.