Stuffed Red Peppers

Ingredients and Weight:

• 8 red bell peppers (large)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1/2 pound Italian sausage
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
• 1 (15-ounce) can tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation Time:

20 minutes

Cooking Time:

45-50 minutes

Difficulty Level:

2 out of 5 (Moderate)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and ribs. Rinse the peppers and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef and Italian sausage over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
4. Add the onion, green bell pepper, and garlic to the skillet and sauté until softened.
5. Stir in the tomato sauce, tomato paste, water, oregano, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
6. Fill the bell peppers with the meat mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and parsley.
7. Place the bell peppers in a baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.

Nutritional Information:

Per serving (1 stuffed pepper):

• Calories: 450
• Fat: 25g
• Protein: 25g
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Fiber: 5g
• Sugar: 10g

Dish Characteristics:

• Hearty and satisfying
• Balanced flavors of sweet, savory, and spicy
• Colorful and visually appealing

User Comments:

• "These stuffed peppers are a family favorite! They're easy to make and always a crowd-pleaser."
• "I love the combination of the sweet bell peppers and the savory meat filling. The sauce is also delicious."
• "These peppers are perfect for a quick and easy weeknight meal. I often make a double batch and freeze them for later."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Use large bell peppers to ensure they can hold a generous amount of filling.
• If you don't have Italian sausage, you can substitute with another ground meat, such as ground pork or turkey.
• To make the dish more spicy, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the sauce.