Description
Delicious stuffed bell peppers filled with a savory blend of ground beef or turkey, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and Italian seasoning, topped with melted cheddar or mozzarella cheese, baked to perfection for a comforting and hearty meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Topping and Other
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing until they become soft and fragrant.
- Cook Meat: Add the ground beef or turkey to the skillet and cook until browned thoroughly. Drain off any excess fat to avoid greasiness.
- Mix Filling: Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook the mixture for 2 to 3 minutes until everything is heated through and well combined.
- Prepare Peppers: Stand the bell peppers upright in a baking dish, ready to be filled.
- Fill Peppers: Spoon the meat and rice mixture evenly into each bell pepper, packing the filling gently.
- Add Cheese: Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese generously over the top of each stuffed pepper.
- Bake Covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes to cook the peppers and meld the flavors.
- Bake Uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, allowing the cheese to melt and become bubbly and golden.
- Rest and Serve: Let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes after baking before serving to enhance the flavors and ensure safe eating temperature.
Notes
- Ground turkey can be substituted for a leaner option instead of ground beef.
- Use any color bell pepper according to your preference or availability.
- Cooked rice can be white, brown, or any preferred variety.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute meat with cooked lentils or beans.
- You can add other spices or herbs like paprika or parsley to personalize the filling.
