STUFFED GREEN PEPPERS

Stuffed Green Peppers are a classic comfort food that combines tender, flavorful bell peppers with a hearty filling of seasoned ground meat, rice, and vegetables. This dish is not only delicious but also versatile, allowing you to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Baked until the peppers are soft and the filling is perfectly cooked, these stuffed peppers make for a satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and comforting. Whether served on their own or alongside a fresh salad, Stuffed Green Peppers are a family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 4 large green bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or a meat substitute)
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peppers:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the green peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If necessary, trim the bottoms slightly so the peppers stand upright. Lightly grease a baking dish and place the peppers in it.
2. Cook the Filling:
   • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese.
3. Stuff the Peppers:
   • Spoon the filling mixture into the prepared bell peppers, packing it in tightly. If desired, top each pepper with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake the Peppers:
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the peppers, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve:
   • Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Stuffed Green Peppers are a satisfying, wholesome dish that brings together the savory flavors of seasoned meat, rice, and cheese, all wrapped in a tender pepper shell. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners, offering a delicious way to enjoy classic ingredients in a fun and flavorful presentation.

Stuffed Green Peppers

Stuffed Green Peppers are a classic comfort food that combines tender, flavorful bell peppers with a hearty filling of seasoned ground meat, rice, and vegetables. This dish is not only delicious but also versatile, allowing you to customize the filling with your favorite ingredients. Baked until the peppers are soft and the filling is perfectly cooked, these stuffed peppers make for a satisfying meal that’s both wholesome and comforting. Whether served on their own or alongside a fresh salad, Stuffed Green Peppers are a family favorite that’s perfect for weeknight dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients:

• 4 large green bell peppers
• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or a meat substitute)
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp dried basil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
• Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Peppers:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Cut the tops off the green peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If necessary, trim the bottoms slightly so the peppers stand upright. Lightly grease a baking dish and place the peppers in it.
2. Cook the Filling:
   • In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
   • Stir in the diced tomatoes, cooked rice, tomato paste, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Remove from heat and stir in half of the shredded cheese.
3. Stuff the Peppers:
   • Spoon the filling mixture into the prepared bell peppers, packing it in tightly. If desired, top each pepper with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
4. Bake the Peppers:
   • Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese over the peppers, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
5. Serve:
   • Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool slightly. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.

Stuffed Green Peppers are a satisfying, wholesome dish that brings together the savory flavors of seasoned meat, rice, and cheese, all wrapped in a tender pepper shell. This comforting meal is perfect for family dinners, offering a delicious way to enjoy classic ingredients in a fun and flavorful presentation.