Lighter Stuffed Bell 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.

LIGHTENED-UP STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut the tops off each pepper, reserve them and hollow out the insides of the peppers of any seeds and seed walls. Sprinkle the insides with a pinch salt and a pinch pepper and set aside.
• Heat 1 teaspoon of the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the garlic and onions. Cook until softened, 3 minutes, and then add the beef, oregano, cinnamon and cumin. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in 1 tablespoon of the tomato paste until it coats the meat and is slightly darkened. Stir in the broth, rice and lentils. Remove from the heat and set aside until the liquid is absorbed and the mixture is cooled slightly. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
• Divide the filling among the peppers and place the tops back on. Set the peppers upright in a small baking dish, such as an 8-inch square baking dish. Whisk 1 1/2 cups water with the remaining tablespoon of tomato paste and olive oil. Pour into the dish around the peppers. Cover tightly with foil and bake until the peppers are tender and the rice and lentils are cooked through, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Carefully transfer the peppers to a serving dish and pour the cooking liquid into a medium nonstick skillet. Boil over high heat until the sauce is thickened and reduced to about 1/2 cup. Remove from the heat and add the dill. Season with salt and pepper. Serve the sauce with the stuffed peppers.

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the rice and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and cook for 20 minutes.
• In a skillet, cook the beef over medium heat until browned.
• Cut out the tops of the bell peppers. Clean out the seeds and any membranes. Then arrange the peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides face up. (If needed, you can slice off the bottom so they stand upright.)
• In a bowl, combine the cooked rice, browned beef, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, onion and garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Fill each bell pepper to the top. In a bowl, mix together the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Pour as a topping over the stuffed peppers.
• Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven until the peppers are tender. Baste each pepper with sauce every 15 minutes in order to keep it moist.

HEALTHIER STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring brown rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cook and stir beef, garlic, and onion in a skillet over medium heat until meat is evenly browned and onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the green, red, and yellow bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. Slice the bottoms off the peppers if necessary so that they stand upright.
• Mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.
• Bake in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender, about 1 hour. Sprinkle the peppers with grated Parmesan cheese after baking.

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS FROM COOKING LIGHT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450.
• Cook rice according to package directions. Set aside.
• While rice cooks, cut tops off peppers, discard seeds. Place peppers, cut sides down, in an 8 inch square baking dish and microwave on high for 2 minutes, or until peppers are crisp-tender. Do not overcook.
• In a large skillet, cook beef, onion, parsley, paprika, salt and allspice. Remove from heat.
• Ad rice, 1/2 cup pasta sauce, and cheese to beef mixture, stir to combine.
• While beef cooks, combine 1 1/2 cups pasta sauce and wine in a small saucepan; bring to a boil.
• Spoon about 3/4 cup beef mixture into each pepper. Place peppers in a 2 quart baking dish coated with cooking spray, add wine mixture to pan (save some sauce to drizzle over the tops of the peppers). Cover with foil.
• Bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Uncover; bake an additional 5 minutes or until ightly browned.