Certainly! Here’s a classic recipe for Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers:
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 pound ground beef (or a mixture of ground beef and pork)
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- Olive oil for sautéing
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. You can use the tops as lids later. Rinse the peppers inside and out.
- Heat a large pot of water to boiling. Add the bell peppers and blanch them for about 3-4 minutes until they start to soften. This step is optional but can help soften the peppers before baking. Drain them and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat a bit of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until they become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add the ground beef (or beef/pork mixture) to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up into small pieces as it cooks.
- Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes (with their juice), salt, pepper, oregano, basil, and paprika. Mix well and let it simmer for about 5-7 minutes until the flavors meld together. If you like, you can also add some grated cheddar cheese to the mixture for extra flavor.
- Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the meat and rice mixture. Place the tops back on the peppers like lids.
- Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. If you have any extra filling, you can place it around the peppers in the dish.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
- If you like, you can remove the foil during the last 10 minutes of baking to allow the tops of the peppers to brown slightly.
- Once the stuffed peppers are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
- Garnish with additional grated cheddar cheese and chopped fresh herbs if desired, and enjoy your Old Fashioned Stuffed Bell Peppers!
Feel free to customize this recipe to your taste by adding other ingredients like diced vegetables or spices.
