Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Stuffed bell peppers are a colorful and delicious meal, perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining. They’re packed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, vegetables, and cheese, making them a wholesome, well-rounded dish.
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce (plus extra for topping)
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (for cooking)
Instructions:
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish or line it with foil.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set the peppers aside. If needed, slice a small piece off the bottom of each pepper so they stand upright in the dish.
- Cook the Filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until softened, about 2-3 minutes. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Mix the Stuffing: In a large bowl, combine the cooked rice, cooked beef mixture, tomato sauce, oregano, salt, and pepper. Stir until evenly mixed.
- Stuff the Peppers: Fill each pepper generously with the meat and rice mixture. Top each pepper with a little extra tomato sauce.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
- Add Cheese: After 30 minutes, remove the foil and sprinkle the tops of the peppers with shredded cheese. Return the dish to the oven and bake uncovered for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
Calorie Count:
For one stuffed bell pepper (based on 4 servings), the approximate calorie count is:
- Bell pepper (1 large): ~40 calories
- Ground beef (¼ lb): ~250 calories (depending on fat content)
- Cooked rice (¼ cup): ~50 calories
- Tomato sauce (¼ cup): ~30 calories
- Cheese (¼ cup): ~100 calories
- Olive oil (½ tablespoon): ~60 calories
Total per serving: Approximately 530-550 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and portion sizes. This count may vary if using leaner meat or low-fat cheese.
