Stuffed Peppers in Red Sauce

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Servings: 6

Ingredients:

• 6 large red bell peppers
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or pasta sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Steps to Cook:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Set the peppers aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the ground beef or turkey, cooked rice, onion, garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
4. Stuff the prepared bell peppers with the meat and rice mixture, packing it in tightly.
5. Arrange the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and pour the marinara or pasta sauce over and around the peppers.
6. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.
7. Remove the foil, sprinkle the tops of the peppers with the shredded mozzarella cheese, and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and let them cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.

Cook’s Note:

• For a spicier version, you can add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the meat and rice mixture.
• You can use any color bell pepper, but red peppers tend to be sweeter and more flavorful.
• If you have leftover filling, you can stuff it into portobello mushrooms or zucchini boats and bake them alongside the stuffed peppers.
• Serve the stuffed peppers with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

Nutrition Information:

Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper Calories: 310 Total Fat: 13g Saturated Fat: 5g Cholesterol: 60mg Sodium: 720mg Total Carbohydrates: 27g Dietary Fiber: 5g Sugars: 8g Protein: 24g

This healthy and delicious stuffed pepper recipe is a great way to incorporate more vegetables into your diet. The bell peppers are filled with a flavorful mixture of ground meat, rice, and aromatic herbs, then baked in a savory red sauce and topped with melted mozzarella cheese.

The key to making these stuffed peppers truly healthy is to use lean ground beef or turkey, which are lower in saturated fat and calories compared to regular ground beef. The addition of cooked rice adds complex carbohydrates and fiber, while the bell peppers provide a good source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

The marinara or pasta sauce provides a tasty and nutrient-rich base for the dish, as it is typically made with tomatoes, herbs, and sometimes vegetables like onions and garlic. Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to various health benefits, including reduced risk of certain types of cancer and heart disease.

To make this recipe even more nutritious, you can experiment with different fillings, such as using a combination of ground meat and chopped mushrooms, or adding in some diced bell peppers or spinach to the filling. You can also adjust the seasoning to your taste, using fresh herbs or spices to enhance the flavor.

Serving the stuffed peppers with a side salad or garlic bread can make it a complete and balanced meal. The salad can provide additional vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while the garlic bread can add a satisfying crunch and some healthy fats from the olive oil or butter used in its preparation.

Overall, this Stuffed Peppers in Red Sauce recipe is a delicious and nutritious option that can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side. It’s a great way to incorporate more vegetables and lean proteins into your diet, while still satisfying your cravings for a comforting and flavorful meal.