Stuffed Peppers
(from koppfamily’s recipe box)
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 120 minutes
Serves 10 people
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 2 cups water
- 1 onion, diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cups marinara sauce
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 links hot Italian pork sausage, casing removed
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
- 4 large green bell pepper, halved and seeded
- 1 cup finely grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
Directions
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Bring rice and water to a boil in a saucepan over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes. Set the cooked rice aside.
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Cook onion and olive oil over medium heat until onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Transfer half of cooked onion to a large bowl and set aside.
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Stir tomato sauce, beef broth, balsamic vinegar, and red pepper flakes into the skillet; cook and stir for 1 minute.
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Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
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Pour tomato sauce mixture into a 9×13″ baking dish and set aside.
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Combine ground beef, Italian sausage, diced tomatoes, Italian parsley, garlic, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper into bowl with reserved onions; mix well. Stir in cooked rice and Parmigiano Reggiano. Stuff green bell peppers with beef and sausage mixture.
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Place stuffed green bell pepper halves in the baking dish over tomato sauce; sprinkle with remaining Parmigiano-Reggiano, cover baking dish with aluminum foil, and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
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Remove aluminum foil and bake until the meat is no longer pink, the green peppers are tender and the cheese is browned on top, an addition 20 to 25 minutes.