Description
Italian Stuffed Peppers are a comforting, flavor-packed meal featuring tender bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, rice, tomatoes, and herbs. Baked to perfection with a rich tomato sauce, this easy dish is ideal for busy weeknights or a cozy family dinner.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, or green)
- 1 lb ground beef (or Italian sausage, turkey, or pork mix)
- 1 cup cooked rice (or quinoa/cauliflower rice substitute)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce (plus more for baking dish)
- 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning (basil, oregano, thyme)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella (optional, for topping)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- . Prepare the Peppers
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Trim the bottoms slightly if needed to help them stand upright.
- 2. Make the Filling
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onion and garlic until softened. Add ground meat and cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Let cool slightly.
- 3. Stuff the Peppers
- Spoon the filling into each hollowed-out pepper, packing gently. Place in a baking dish with extra tomato sauce at the bottom.
- 4. Bake Until Tender
- Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 30 minutes. Remove foil, top with mozzarella (if using), and bake uncovered for 10-15 more minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly.
Notes
- Blanch peppers for a few minutes before stuffing for an even softer texture.
- Substitute quinoa, couscous, or mushrooms for rice for a variation.
- Can be made vegetarian with lentils, chickpeas, or sautéed mushrooms and spinach.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 60mg