Grandma Gina Stuffed Peppers Recipes

THE BEST STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• If your peppers don't sit upright on your cutting board, trim about 1/8-inch off the bottoms to even them out so they can stand without falling over. Cut the top off each pepper about 1/2-inch down. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the remaining flesh from the tops. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membranes as you can. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power for 12 minutes. Carefully uncover and let them sit until ready to assemble.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the beef in an even layer and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps with the back of a spoon and scraping up any browned bits from the pan until the meat is lightly browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and add the reserved chopped peppers, onions, garlic, thyme, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until falling apart and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until brick red colored, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until the mixture is reduced, very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Transfer to the bowl with the beef. Stir in the rice until completely combined. (The mixture will be wet.) Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Place the peppers cut-side up in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spoon the filling into the peppers, gently pressing it in with the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overstuff and split the sides of the peppers. Bake for 15 minutes. Then top with the cheese and continue baking until the filling is heated through and the cheese is browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.

STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on a nonstick baking sheet or regular baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Sprinkle the interiors with salt and pepper and drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Place the baking sheet in the center of the oven and roast until the peppers are juicy and somewhat softened and tender, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove from the oven.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining tablespoon oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat. When the oil begins to smoke lightly, add the meat in a thin layer and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the meat browns and is cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the meat with a slotted spoon to a medium bowl. Stir the onions, garlic, chili powder and cumin into the pot with a sprinkle of salt. Stir to blend, then cook until the flavors meld together, 5 to 8 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer gently over medium heat until the tomatoes fall apart and the chili starts to thicken, 12 to 15 minutes. Add the meat back to the pot along with the beans and apple cider vinegar. Remove from the heat.
• Fill each pepper about halfway with the couscous. Divide the chili among all the peppers, layering it on top of the couscous. Top with the cheese and return the baking sheet to the oven. Bake until piping hot and the cheese is melted, 20 to 25 minutes.

GRANDMA'S STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Clean peppers thoroughly inside and out.
• Mix by hand all ingredients except for the pasta sauce and the mozzarella cheese. If, after adding can of tomatoes mixture still feels too "wet", add more rice until the consistency is a little more solid. More Parmesan cheese may be added if wanted.
• Boil peppers in a large pot of water for about five minutes or until soft. place inside your baking/casserole dish when each is finished. Open jar of pasta sauce and add one full tablespoon inside each pepper. I like to use Prego.
• Using a clean tablespoon, add stuffing mix by spoonful until each pepper is completely full, be careful not to break them.
• Dump the rest of the pasta sauce into the baking/casserole dish to cover the bottom of the peppers. Add a small amount of water to the jar, swish around and add to pan.
• After about 2 1/2 hours, remove peppers from oven and top with mozzarella cheese. Return to oven for another half hour or until cheese melts.

GRANDMA'S SIMPLE STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Cut the tops off the peppers and discard seeds and membranes.
• Boil peppers for 5 minutes. Remove and stand upright in a 13x9 casserole dish.
• Generously sprinkle inside of each pepper with salt (1/2 tsp or more if you like).
• Cook ground beef and onions until meat is browned.
• Season beef and onion mixture with remaining salt, pepper, garlic, and seasoned salt.
• Add tomatoes, water, rice, sugar, and Worcestershire sauce and stir.
• Cover and simmer until rice is tender (approximately 15-30 minutes).
• Stir in 1 cup shredded cheese.
• Stuff peppers with the meat and rice mixture.
• Bake uncovered for 20 minutes at 350°F.
• Top peppers with remaining cheese and bake and additional 5-10 minutes.

GRANDMA'S STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Mix first 8 ingredients well.
• Cut green peppers in to quarters (or thirds - depending on size of peppers).
• Fill cut peppers with the meat mixture.
• In a dutch oven, mix the tomato soup, tomato sauce and stewed tomatoes.
• Add the additional 1/2 cup of water
• Arrainge filled pepper in the bottom of the pan.
• Spoon sauce over pepper.
• Cover and back foe 2 hours.