Stuffed Bell Peppers Mediterranean (Printable Version)

Colorful peppers filled with savory rice and meat mixture, baked in tomato sauce with melted cheese topping.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green), tops cut off, seeds removed
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Meats

04 - 14 oz ground beef or turkey

→ Grains

05 - 3/4 cup cooked rice (white or brown)

→ Dairy

06 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, divided
07 - 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese

→ Sauces & Liquids

08 - 2 cups tomato sauce
09 - 2 tbsp olive oil

→ Seasonings

10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1 tsp dried basil
12 - 1/2 tsp paprika
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Optional

14 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
15 - 1/4 cup breadcrumbs for added texture

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F.
02 - Cut off the tops of bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until softened. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more.
04 - Add ground beef or turkey, breaking it up as it cooks, until browned and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes.
05 - Stir in cooked rice, 1/2 cup of shredded cheese, Parmesan, oregano, basil, paprika, parsley if using, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
06 - Pour half of the tomato sauce into the bottom of a baking dish large enough to hold the peppers.
07 - Fill each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack. Place peppers upright in the prepared dish.
08 - Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers.
09 - Cover baking dish with foil and bake for 35 minutes.
10 - Uncover, sprinkle remaining shredded cheese and breadcrumbs if using over the tops, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cheese is golden and peppers are tender.
11 - Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one vessel, which means fewer dishes and more time on the couch
  • The peppers become impossibly sweet and tender while the filling gets all cozy and savory
  • Leftovers somehow taste better the next day, if they make it that far
02 -
  • Overfilled peppers will topple over in the oven, so leave a little room at the top
  • The peppers continue cooking after they come out, so slight underbaking is actually perfect
  • If the peppers wobble, trim a tiny slice off the bottom to make them sit flat
03 -
  • Choose peppers with flat bottoms so they stand up straight in the baking dish
  • Parboiling the peppers for 5 minutes ensures they are perfectly tender
  • Let the filling cool slightly before stuffing so it is easier to handle
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