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Italian Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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Ingredients

Warning0 allergens identified

Italian Stuffed Peppers Recipe

2 tablespoons olive oildivided

3 bell peppers(medium sized)

½ oniondiced

1 lb grass fed ground beef

3 cloves garlic

2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

½ tsp salt

¼ tsp black pepper

2 cups marinara sauce

1 cup rice white or brown ricecooked

½ cup parmesan cheesegrated

1 cup mozzarella cheesegrated

⅓ cup basilfreshly chopped

Instructions

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and grease an 9×13" baking pan.

Cut the peppers in half from top to bottom and remove the seeds and white membranes. Brush each bell pepper halve with 1 tablespoon of the oil (inside and outside), then pre-bake for 20-30 minutes or until slightly softened (it could take a bit longer depending on the size and thickness of your bell peppers).

While the bell peppers cook, prepare the filling. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat. Add the onion and cook 3-5 minutes until softened. Add the ground beef, breaking in to chunks with a wooden spoon, and cook until no longer pink. Add the garlic, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper and cook 30 seconds longer. Drain excess grease as necessary.

Add the marinara sauce, rice and parmesan cheese to the beef mixture, stirring well to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning as necessary.

Divide the filling between each bell pepper (don't be afraid to overfill!), then top with the mozzarella cheese. Bake for 10-15 minutes more until the cheese has melted and the pepper has reach the desired doneness. Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh basil. Enjoy!

Nutrition

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Pre-roast Your Peppers 🫑
Partially roast the pepper halves at 375°F for 8-10 minutes before filling to soften them and concentrate their natural sweetness, ensuring tender peppers even after the full bake.
Brown Your Rice First 🍚
Toast the uncooked rice in olive oil for 2-3 minutes before mixing with the beef filling to enhance its nutty flavor and prevent mushiness in the final dish.
Layer Your Cheese Strategically 🧀
Mix half the mozzarella into the filling for creamy interior texture, then top with remaining mozzarella and grated Parmesan just before baking for a golden, crispy cheese crust.
Use Cold Marinara Sauce 🍅
Keep your marinara sauce chilled before mixing with the meat and rice filling to prevent the beef from cooking prematurely and to maintain the sauce's fresh, vibrant flavor.
Tent and Rest Before Serving 🫓
Cover finished peppers with foil for 5 minutes after baking to allow carryover cooking and help the filling set, making them easier to handle and more flavorful when served.