stuffed peppers

Stuffed peppers are a delicious and versatile dish that involves filling bell peppers with a flavorful mixture of ingredients. Here’s a basic recipe for classic stuffed peppers:

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (red, green, or yellow)
• 1 pound ground beef (you can also use ground turkey or a meat substitute)
• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or your preference)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or your choice)
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Olive oil for sautéing
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. You can also slice a thin piece off the bottom of each pepper to make them stand upright.
3. In a large skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté for a few minutes until they become translucent.
4. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until it’s browned and cooked through. Break it up with a spoon as it cooks to prevent large clumps.
5. Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together and let it simmer for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
6. Fill each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack it.
7. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish or casserole dish.
8. Pour the tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers. You can also sprinkle a little extra cheese on top at this point.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil.
10. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-45 minutes or until the peppers are tender. Cooking times may vary depending on the size of the peppers and your oven.
11. Remove the foil, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, and bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
12. Remove from the oven and let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes before serving.
13. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.

Stuffed peppers are a complete meal on their own, but you can also serve them with a side salad or some crusty bread. Enjoy your delicious homemade stuffed peppers!