Description
Hearty Mexican stuffed peppers bring explosive flavors from ground beef, rice, and zesty tomato sauce nestled inside perfectly roasted bell peppers. Cheese-topped and packed with savory goodness, these peppers promise a delightful meal that satisfies all dinner cravings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound (0.45 kilogram) ground beef
- 6 large bell peppers (any color)
Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (14.5 ounces/411 grams) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Cheese and Garnish:
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
- Transform bell peppers into elegant vessels by carefully slicing off their tops and meticulously removing interior seeds and membranes. Optional technique involves briefly immersing peppers in boiling water for enhanced tenderness, followed by rapid cooling in an ice bath.
- Heat a robust skillet over medium flame and thoroughly brown ground beef, ensuring complete rendering of excess fat. Introduce finely chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing until translucent and aromatic.
- Integrate cooked rice into the meat mixture, creating a harmonious blend. Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and a medley of Italian seasonings. Gently fold ingredients, allowing flavors to meld and develop complex undertones.
- Carefully nestle the savory meat and rice combination into prepared bell pepper shells, pressing gently to ensure compact filling. Drizzle remaining tomato sauce across pepper tops, creating a vibrant culinary canvas.
- Encase the baking dish with aluminum foil, creating a protective environment for even cooking. Slide into a preheated oven and allow peppers to roast for approximately 30 minutes, developing deep, rich flavors.
- Unveil the dish, generously crown peppers with shredded cheese, and return to oven. Continue baking until cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling blanket of deliciousness.
- Elevate the presentation by scattering freshly chopped parsley across the peppers, adding a final burst of color and herbal freshness. Serve immediately while flavors remain intense and textures perfectly balanced.
Notes
- Blanching peppers beforehand helps soften their texture and reduces overall cooking time, making them more tender and easier to eat.
- For a leaner version, swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives to reduce fat content without compromising flavor.
- Customize the filling by adding additional vegetables like diced zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Make this dish gluten-free by using cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice and checking that Worcestershire sauce is gluten-free certified.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 365
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 24 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg