Stuffed Peppers Italian Style

Ingredients and Weight:

• 8 large bell peppers (green, red, yellow, or orange), about 1.5 lbs
• 1 pound ground turkey or beef
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1 (15 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup cooked rice
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Preparation Time:

15 minutes

Cooking Time:

1 hour

Difficulty Level:

2 (Easy)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Rinse the peppers and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground turkey or beef. Remove from heat and drain any excess fat.
4. Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
5. Stir in the crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, cooked rice, Parmesan cheese, parsley, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper.
6. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
7. Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture. Top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
8. Place the peppers in a baking dish and add 1/2 cup of water to the bottom of the dish.
9. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 stuffed pepper):

• Calories: 250
• Fat: 10g
• Saturated Fat: 5g
• Carbohydrates: 25g
• Protein: 20g

Dish Characteristics:

• Juicy and flavorful bell peppers
• Savory meat filling with a blend of Italian herbs and spices
• Melted mozzarella cheese topping
• Comforting and satisfying meal
• Colorful and visually appealing

User Comments:

• "Absolutely delicious! The flavors were perfect and the peppers were so tender."
• "I love the combination of the sweet peppers and the savory meat filling."
• "This is a great dish for a special occasion or a family dinner."
• "I highly recommend using a variety of bell peppers to add color and flavor."
• "The leftovers were even better the next day!"

Special Precautions and Tips:

• If you don't have cooked rice on hand, you can use 1/2 cup of uncooked rice. However, be sure to add an extra 15 minutes to the cooking time.
• You can add other vegetables to the filling, such as chopped spinach, zucchini, or carrots.
• If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use 1 tablespoon of dried parsley.
• Serve with a side of Italian bread or a green salad.