Stuffed bell peppers

Stuffed bell peppers are a classic, comforting dish that you can easily customize. Here’s a simple, flavorful version to start with:

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🌶️ Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers (any color), tops cut off and seeds removed

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or turkey, chicken, or plant-based meat)

• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)

• 1 small onion, diced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes

• 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)

• 2 tbsp tomato paste or ketchup

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning (or a mix of oregano and basil)

• Olive oil (for sautéing)

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Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Prepare peppers:

   • Slice off the tops and remove seeds/membranes.

   • Boil in salted water for 5 minutes to soften slightly (optional, for more tender peppers).

   • Drain and set aside.

3. Make the filling:

   • Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.

   • Add onion and cook until soft, about 3–4 minutes.

   • Add garlic and cook another 30 seconds.

   • Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

   • Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, pepper, and seasoning.

   • Simmer for 5–10 minutes until well combined and thickened slightly.

4. Stuff the peppers:

   • Spoon the mixture evenly into each pepper.

   • Place in a baking dish.

   • Top each with shredded cheese.

5. Bake:

   • Add about ½ cup of water or tomato sauce to the bottom of the baking dish (to keep them moist).

   • Cover loosely with foil and bake 30 minutes.

   • Remove foil and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is bubbly and slightly golden.

6. Serve hot, garnished with parsley if desired.

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💡 Variations

• Mexican-style: Use taco seasoning, black beans, corn, and top with pepper jack cheese.

• Mediterranean: Use ground lamb, feta cheese, olives, and oregano.

• Vegetarian: Replace meat with lentils, quinoa, or chopped mushrooms.

Would you like me to give you a healthy (low-carb or high-protein) version, or a comfort-food style (cheesy and rich) recipe