Hey friends!
Can you believe the holidays are almost here? It’s time to get festive in the kitchen!
Today, I’m excited to share a special recipe: Christmas stuffed bell peppers.
These colorful peppers are stuffed with all the delicious flavors of the season.
They’re fun to make and even more fun to eat!
Let’s spread some holiday cheer one bite at a time!
| Preparation Time | 20-30 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 30-40 minutes |
| Total Time | 50-70 minutes |
| Level of Difficulty | Medium |
Ingredients
- 6 bell peppers
- 1/2 large onion (or 1 small onion)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/4 pounds ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley
- 1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Toasted bread crumbs with parmesan and herbs (optional)
Step 1: Prepare Vegetables and Preheat Oven
Start by preheating the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Mince 3 garlic cloves and set them aside.
Dice 1/2 of a large onion or a small onion.
Wash 6 bell peppers thoroughly, remove their tops, and take out the seeds and ribs.
Place the prepared bell peppers upright in a large casserole dish.
Step 2: Cook the Onion and Garlic
In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat.
Add the diced onions to the skillet and cook for 8-10 minutes until caramelized, stirring frequently.
Stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes, ensuring the flavors meld together.
Step 3: Brown the Meat
Add 1 1/4 pounds of ground beef (or your choice of ground meat) to the skillet.
Break up the meat and cook it until browned, about 10 minutes.
While the meat is browning, chop 1/4 cup of fresh parsley.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients for the Filling
Once the meat is browned, add a 14 1/2-ounce can of diced tomatoes and 8 ounces of tomato sauce to the skillet.
Stir in 1 tablespoon of Italian seasoning and 1 teaspoon of salt.
Add 1 1/2 cups of cooked rice to the mixture and fold gently to combine everything well.
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
Step 5: Stuff and Top the Bell Peppers
Spoon the prepared filling into the upright bell peppers, filling them completely.
Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining mozzarella cheese (about 1/2 cup).
For added flavor and texture, you can optionally sprinkle toasted bread crumbs with Parmesan and herbs over the top of the cheese.
Step 6: Bake and Serve
Bake the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
Once they are done, remove them from the oven, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and serve hot.
Enjoy your delicious and hearty stuffed bell peppers!
