Savory Ground Beef Stuffed Peppers (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Filling
01 -
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
02 -
1 medium onion, diced
03 -
2 garlic cloves, minced
04 -
1 pound (450 grams) lean ground beef
05 -
1½ cups (210 grams) cooked brown rice
06 -
410 grams diced tomatoes, undrained
07 -
1 tablespoon tomato paste
08 -
1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 -
2 teaspoons paprika
10 -
Kosher salt, to taste
11 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Assembly
12 -
7 large bell peppers, tops and cores removed
13 -
1 cup (100 grams) shredded Cheddar Jack cheese
14 -
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish
# Instructions:
01 -
Preheat oven to 190°C. Arrange the 7 large bell peppers, cut side up, in a baking dish.
02 -
Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until softened, about 5–7 minutes. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 -
Add lean ground beef to the pan and cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink, approximately 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 -
Stir in cooked brown rice, diced tomatoes with juice, tomato paste, dried oregano, and paprika. Cook until the sauce has slightly reduced and flavors are blended, about 4–5 minutes.
05 -
Taste and season the mixture with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
06 -
Fill each bell pepper generously with the beef and rice mixture. Place any remaining filling around the peppers if space allows.
07 -
Bake in the preheated oven for 10–12 minutes or until bell peppers are mostly tender.
08 -
Sprinkle shredded Cheddar Jack cheese evenly over each stuffed pepper. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 5–7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
09 -
Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. Serve immediately.
# Notes:
01 -
For tender bell peppers with structure, consider pre-baking the empty peppers for 10 minutes before filling.
02 -
Enhance flavor by using smoked paprika for a deeper, more robust profile.
03 -
Customize protein and grains with options like turkey, quinoa, or wild rice.
04 -
Finely diced carrots or mushrooms can be sautéed with the onion for added vegetables.