Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef

When it comes to comfort food, Stuffed Bell Peppers rank high on the list. These vibrant and colorful peppers serve as edible vessels, generously filled with a savory blend of ground beef, rice, and aromatic spices. Baked to perfection and topped with gooey melted cheese, this recipe is a crowd-pleaser that will leave you craving more. Let's dive into the step-by-step process of creating these delightful Stuffed Bell Peppers.

To begin, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with cooking spray or olive oil.

Now, let's prepare our bell peppers. Choose four large peppers of any color. I personally love the vibrant combination of red, green, yellow, and orange. Slice off the tops, remove the seeds and membranes, and give the peppers a good rinse under cold water. Set them aside while we prepare the filling.

In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add a finely chopped onion and minced garlic to the pan, and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent, filling your kitchen with an irresistible aroma.

Next, it's time to add the star of our filling: ground beef. Add one pound (450g) of ground beef to the skillet and cook until it's nicely browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Once the beef is cooked, drain any excess fat from the skillet.

Now, let's bring our filling to life. Stir in one cup of cooked rice, one cup of tomato sauce, and a flavorful blend of dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Give everything a good mix, allowing the flavors to meld together for a couple of minutes.

Once our filling is ready, it's time to stuff our bell peppers. Take each pepper and generously fill it with the ground beef mixture, gently pressing it down to pack it in. Place the stuffed bell peppers upright in the prepared baking dish, ready to be transformed into mouthwatering goodness.

Slide the baking dish into the preheated oven and let the magic happen. Bake the stuffed bell peppers for about 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers have softened and the filling is heated through.

As we approach the finishing touch, sprinkle a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each pepper. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese turns into a golden, bubbly layer of goodness.

Carefully remove the baking dish from the oven, and let the stuffed bell peppers cool for a few minutes. This short waiting period will allow the flavors to settle and the cheese to set.

Now, it's time to serve and enjoy! Plate your Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef, and garnish them with fresh parsley for a pop of color. The tender bell peppers, flavorful beef filling, and melty cheese create a harmonious blend that will leave you craving seconds.

These Stuffed Bell Peppers make for a complete meal on their own, but feel free to serve them alongside a crisp salad or some crusty bread for a satisfying dining experience.

Whether you're cooking for family, friends, or simply indulging in some self-care, these Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef are a winning choice. Try this recipe, and I guarantee you'll fall in love with the comforting flavors and the delightful presentation. Bon appétit!

Ingredients:

  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 pound (450g) ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon dried basil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh parsley, for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by greasing it lightly with cooking spray or olive oil.

  2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Rinse the peppers under cold water and set them aside.

  3. In a large skillet, heat some olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and minced garlic, and sauté until they become fragrant and translucent.

  4. Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.

  5. Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything well, allowing the flavors to combine for a couple of minutes.

  6. Fill each bell pepper with the ground beef mixture, pressing it down lightly to pack it in. Place the stuffed bell peppers upright in the prepared baking dish.

  7. Bake the stuffed bell peppers in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers have softened and the filling is heated through.

  8. Remove the baking dish from the oven and sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of each pepper. Return the dish to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

  9. Carefully remove the stuffed bell peppers from the oven and allow them to cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh parsley.

  10. Serve the stuffed bell peppers warm as a delicious and wholesome meal. You can enjoy them as they are or pair them with a side salad or crusty bread.