Description
Mexican-inspired stuffed peppers dance with robust flavors, bringing zesty ground beef, rice, and melted cheese into colorful bell pepper shells. Hearty comfort meets fresh ingredients in this simple yet satisfying meal that delivers robust southwestern charm for hungry families.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat:
- 1/2 pound lean ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
Vegetables and Aromatics:
- 6 bell peppers, any color
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can petite diced tomatoes (14 1/2 ounces, with juice)
Other Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup white rice, uncooked
- 1 1/4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 1/2 cups marinara sauce, divided
- 1/2 cup mozzarella or cheddar cheese, shredded (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the bell peppers by slicing off their tops and thoroughly cleaning out seeds and internal membranes.
- Heat a large skillet over medium temperature and combine ground beef, sausage, onion, and garlic, cooking until meat is completely browned and vegetables are translucent.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, rice, water, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring to combine evenly.
- Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then reduce heat and allow to simmer for 15-20 minutes, ensuring rice becomes tender and absorbs surrounding liquid.
- Carefully fill each prepared pepper with the savory meat and rice mixture, arranging them upright in a suitable baking dish.
- Generously drizzle marinara sauce over the stuffed peppers, ensuring complete coverage.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for 45 minutes, allowing peppers to become slightly softened.
- Remove foil, add an additional layer of marinara sauce, and sprinkle cheese across the top of each pepper.
- Return to the oven for a final 15 minutes, cooking until peppers reach desired tenderness and cheese melts into a golden, appetizing finish.
Notes
- Maximize flavor by searing the meat at high heat to develop a rich, caramelized crust before mixing with other ingredients.
- Opt for bell peppers with flat bottoms to ensure they stand upright and cook evenly in the baking dish.
- Swap ground beef for ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the dish.
- For a gluten-free option, replace regular rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa, maintaining the same cooking technique and seasoning.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 633 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 670 mg
- Fat: 36 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 21 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 43 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg