Stuffed bell peppers with beef and rice

SERVES: 6

INGREDIENTS
  • 6 bell peppers (any color)

  • 3 cups chunky tomato sauce, divided

  • 1/2 onion, very thinly sliced

  • 1 cup beef broth

  • 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef

  • 1 1/2 cups cooked rice

  • 1/2 cup freshly shredded parmigiano-reggiano cheese

  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

  • 4 cloves garlic, minced

  • 2 teaspoons salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided
DIRECTIONS
1
Gather all ingredients. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2
Slice peppers 1/2-inch from the top; cut out stems and set aside tops. Cut core from the inside of peppers and strip away any seeds. Cut off a thin slice from the bottoms so peppers can stand upright. Poke about 4 tiny holes in the bottoms to let juices drain.
3
Pour 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Add onion, beef broth, and red pepper flakes; spread out mixture evenly over the bottom.
4
Set bell peppers upright in the dish. Combine ground beef, cooked rice, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, 1/4 cup parsley, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
5
Lightly stuff peppers with meat mixture. Spread 1 tablespoon tomato sauce on top of each portion of stuffing; place reserved tops onto peppers. Lay a piece of parchment paper loosely on top of peppers and cover the dish tightly with foil. Place the dish on top of a baking sheet.
6
Bake in the preheated oven until peppers have softened slightly, about 1 hour. Remove foil and parchment paper. Continue baking until meat filling is cooked through and peppers are tender, 20 to 30 more minutes. Sprinkle each pepper with 1/2 teaspoon parsley and drizzle with a spoonful of pan juices.