Ground BeefBeef and Rice Stuffed Peppers
Stuffed peppers look like a project but are just a seasoned beef and rice filling spooned into halved peppers. Pre-cooked rice keeps the filling light, and a splash of tomato sauce in the dish keeps the peppers from drying out. Cover them for the first half of baking so the peppers soften before the cheese browns.
- for the peppers
- 4 large bell peppers, halved and seeded
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups cooked rice
- 1 cup tomato sauce, divided
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt, plus black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar
makes 8 pepper halves, enough for 4 people.
- Heat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the pepper halves cut side up in a baking dish and pour about ¼ cup of the tomato sauce in the bottom.
- Brown the beef with the onion in the olive oil until cooked through. Add the garlic for 30 seconds and spoon off extra fat.
- Stir in the rice, ½ cup tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Fill each pepper half generously.
- Spoon the remaining sauce over the top, cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
- Uncover, sprinkle with cheese and bake 10 to 15 minutes more until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and lightly browned.
No cooked rice? Use quinoa, couscous or cooked cauliflower rice.
Peppers too crunchy? Blanch the halves in boiling water for a few minutes before filling.
Want Tex-Mex peppers? Add black beans, corn and chili powder to the filling and top with pepper jack.
No bell peppers? The same filling works in halved zucchini or large tomatoes.
Keeps 4 days in the fridge. Freezes well assembled or baked. Reheat covered until hot all the way through.
Italian peppers Add a little sausage and top with provolone.
Deconstructed Chop the peppers and cook everything in one skillet.
Mini peppers Stuff mini sweet peppers for party appetizers.
Kantan tip — cover them for the first half of baking. Foil traps steam so the peppers soften all the way through while the filling heats.