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Stuffed Peppers

Hearty Stuffed Bell Peppers

50 minutesIntermediateServes 4-6

Stuffed peppers remind me of Sunday dinners at my grandmother's house, where the whole kitchen would smell like savory comfort and love. She'd line up those beautiful bell peppers like little edible vessels, each one holding a treasure of seasoned rice, ground beef, and memories. \"Every pepper tells a story,\" she'd say, and I understand now what she meant. This dish is about more than just dinner—it's about creating something beautiful and nourishing that brings people together around the table.

Ingredients

For the Peppers:

  • • 6 large bell peppers (any color)
  • • 1 lb ground beef
  • • 1 cup cooked white rice
  • • 1 onion, diced
  • • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • • 1 can (14oz) diced tomatoes
  • • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Seasonings:

  • • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • • 1 tsp paprika
  • • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • • 1 tsp salt
  • • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • • 1/2 cup beef broth

Instructions

  1. 1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Trim bottom if needed to help peppers stand upright.
  2. 2. Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Add peppers and cook for 3-4 minutes to soften slightly. Drain and set aside.
  3. 3. In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat.
  4. 4. Add diced onion to the beef and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
  5. 5. Stir in diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and parsley.
  6. 6. Cook mixture for 5-7 minutes until flavors combine. Remove from heat and stir in half the cheese.
  7. 7. Place peppers in a baking dish and pour beef broth into the bottom (not inside peppers).
  8. 8. Stuff each pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture. Top with remaining cheese.
  9. 9. Cover with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes until peppers are tender.
  10. 10. Remove foil and bake 10 more minutes until cheese is golden. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

Bre's Pro Tips

  • • Choose peppers that stand upright for even cooking
  • • Pre-cooking peppers briefly keeps them from being too crunchy
  • • Mix in different cheese varieties for more complex flavor
  • • Freeze uncooked stuffed peppers for easy meal prep!
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