Description
Mediterranean-inspired stuffed bell peppers deliver a perfect harmony of flavors in this classic Ina Garten recipe. Juicy peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, rice, and herbs promise a delightful meal that brings Mediterranean warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (1 pound) Italian sausage
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
- 3 bell peppers, halved lengthwise and deseeded
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsps (2 tablespoons) cooking oil, divided
- 1 tsp (1 teaspoon) Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp (½ teaspoon) garlic powder
- 1¼ tsps (1 ¼ teaspoons) salt, divided
- ¼ tsp (¼ teaspoon) freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- ½ cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- ¾ cup chicken broth
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheating and Pepper Preparation: Set oven to 350°F. Slice bell peppers lengthwise, removing seeds. Arrange in baking dish, brush with olive oil, and season with salt and black pepper.
- Meat and Aromatics Sauté: Brown Italian sausage in skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic, cooking until onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Rice and Sauce Integration: Incorporate rice into sausage mixture, blending with marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, and chicken broth. Bring to boil, then simmer covered for 20 minutes until rice is nearly cooked.
- Stuffing and Cheese Topping: Remove rice mixture from heat, fluff with fork. Spoon filling into pepper halves, generously crown with mozzarella cheese.
- Baking and Broiling: Cover baking dish with foil, bake for 15 minutes. Uncover and broil 2-3 minutes until cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Garnishing and Serving: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over peppers. Serve hot and enjoy the rich, flavorful dish immediately.
Notes
- Pepper Preparation: Core and seed bell peppers carefully to create a sturdy vessel for the filling, ensuring even cooking and maximum flavor absorption.
- Sausage Selection: Choose high-quality Italian sausage for a richer, more authentic taste profile that elevates the entire dish’s complexity.
- Rice Cooking Technique: Simmer rice mixture covered to lock in moisture and develop deep, integrated flavors before stuffing the peppers.
- Cheese Melting Tip: Watch broiling carefully to achieve perfect golden-brown cheese without burning, creating a deliciously crispy top layer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 410
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 800 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg