Stuffed Peppers
Unleash your culinary creativity with our Stuffed Peppers Recipe!
Here at Delish, we’re huge advocates of stuffed peppers, and for good reason. With their sturdy structure and spacious interior, peppers offer ample room for a diverse range of fillings, allowing them to harmonize with various flavors effortlessly. They serve as the perfect canvas for an endless array of ingredient combinations, making them a go-to choice for creating culinary masterpieces.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of raw white or brown rice
- 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil, with additional for drizzling
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion, diced
- 3 cloves of garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) of diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 bell peppers, with their tops and cores removed
- 1 cup of shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Instructions of a good Stuffed Peppers:
Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F. In a small saucepan, cook the rice according to the instructions on the package.
While the rice is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, stirring occasionally, for approximately 7 minutes.
Add garlic and tomato paste, and continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, for about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
Next, incorporate the cooked rice and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Season the mixture with oregano, salt, and pepper. Allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has slightly reduced, approximately 5 minutes.
Arrange the bell peppers in a 13″x9″ baking dish with the cut side facing up. Drizzle the peppers with oil. Fill each pepper with the beef mixture. Top each pepper with cheese, and then cover the baking dish with foil.
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the peppers until they become tender, which should take about 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is bubbly, for an additional 10 minutes.
So gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and embark on a culinary journey that’s as delicious as it is rewarding. With our stuffed peppers recipe, every meal is a celebration of flavor, creativity, and culinary excellence. Let’s get cooking!
Elevate your dining experience with stuffed peppers as the star of your next meal
The stuffed peppers adaptable dish not only boasts simplicity in preparation but also caters to households of all sizes, earning its reputation as a budget-friendly and convenient weeknight dinner staple. While we enjoy experimenting with countless iterations, there’s something timeless about this classic recipe that’s hard to surpass. Keep reading to uncover the secrets behind its popularity and let it inspire you to craft your own personalized stuffed pepper creations.
Tips for Making Perfect Stuffed Peppers:
- Choose the Right peppers: for Stuffed Peppers recipe opt for large, firm peppers with flat bottoms that can stand upright in the baking dish. Bell peppers are a classic choice, but you can also experiment with poblano or Anaheim peppers for a different flavor profile.
- Precook the Peppers: To ensure that the peppers are tender and cooked evenly, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes before stuffing. This step also helps to soften the peppers, making them easier to eat.
- Customize the Filling: Get creative with the filling by incorporating your favorite ingredients. Ground beef, rice, quinoa, beans, vegetables, and cheese are popular options. Don’t forget to season the filling well with herbs, spices, and sauces for maximum flavor.
- Add a Topping: Enhance the flavor and texture of the stuffed peppers by adding a crunchy topping. Breadcrumbs, crushed tortilla chips, or shredded cheese make excellent choices. Sprinkle the topping over the peppers before baking for a golden, crispy finish.
- Bake Covered, Then Uncover: Start by baking the stuffed peppers covered with foil to trap steam and ensure that the peppers cook through. Then, remove the foil during the last few minutes of baking to allow the tops to brown and the cheese to melt and bubble.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve as a Main Course: Arrange the stuffed peppers on a platter and serve them as a hearty main course. Pair them with a side salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
- Side Dish Accompaniment: Cut the stuffed peppers in half and serve them as a side dish alongside grilled chicken, steak, or fish. They also complement pasta dishes or soups beautifully.
- Meal Prep Option: Stuffed peppers make excellent leftovers and can be stored in the refrigerator for a few days. Simply reheat them in the microwave or oven for a quick and satisfying meal.
- Garnish with Fresh Herbs: Before serving, garnish the stuffed peppers with chopped fresh herbs such as parsley, cilantro, or basil for a pop of color and freshness.
- Customize Toppings: Offer a variety of toppings such as sour cream, salsa, avocado slices, or hot sauce to allow guests to personalize their stuffed peppers according to their preferences.
With these tips and serving suggestions, you’ll be well-equipped to create delicious and satisfying stuffed peppers that will impress your family and friends!
Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup of raw white or brown rice
- 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil with additional for drizzling
- 1 medium-sized yellow onion diced
- 3 cloves of garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 can 14.5 ounces of diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of dried oregano
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 6 bell peppers with their tops and cores removed
- 1 cup of shredded Monterey jack cheese
- Fresh parsley chopped, for garnish
Instructions
- Begin by preheating the oven to 400°F. In a small saucepan, cook the rice according to the instructions on the package.
- While the rice is cooking, heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion until softened, stirring occasionally, for approximately 7 minutes.
- Add garlic and tomato paste, and continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the ground beef and cook until it is no longer pink, breaking it up with a wooden spoon as it cooks, for about 6 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Next, incorporate the cooked rice and diced tomatoes into the skillet. Season the mixture with oregano, salt, and pepper. Allow it to simmer, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has slightly reduced, approximately 5 minutes.
- Arrange the bell peppers in a 13″x9″ baking dish with the cut side facing up. Drizzle the peppers with oil. Fill each pepper with the beef mixture. Top each pepper with cheese, and then cover the baking dish with foil.
- Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake the peppers until they become tender, which should take about 35 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until the cheese is bubbly, for an additional 10 minutes.
