Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers Recipe - A Taste of Italy in Your Kitchen

Region / culture: Italy | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 35 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of ground beef, tomatoes, and cheese stuffed inside sweet bell peppers. This classic Italian recipe is perfect for a family dinner or a special occasion.

History

Stuffed peppers have been a popular dish in Italian cuisine for centuries. The combination of meat, rice, and vegetables stuffed inside a pepper and baked to perfection is a comforting and satisfying meal that has stood the test of time.

Ingredients

4 green bell peppers
1 lb (454 g) ground beef
0.5 cup onion
1 tbsp garlic
2 tbsp olive oil
0.25 tsp basil
0.25 tsp thyme
0.25 tsp marjoram
0.25 tsp salt
0.25 tsp black pepper
16 oz (454 g) canned stewed tomatoes
8 oz (227 g) tomato sauce
0.25 cup water
quick cooking
2 oz (57 g) mozzarella cheese

How to prepare

Cut the tops off the peppers, remove the seeds, and blanch them in boiling water for 5 minutes. Drain them well.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Add ground beef, onions, and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes.
Add oregano, basil, thyme, marjoram, salt, pepper, tomatoes, half of the tomato sauce, water, and rice. Stir well to combine.
Cover and simmer over medium-low heat for 15 minutes.
Place the peppers upright in a casserole dish.
Fill the peppers with the meat mixture, packing it tightly. Surround the peppers with the remaining meat mixture.
Pour the remaining tomato sauce over everything. Top with grated mozzarella.
Remove from the oven and serve hot.

Variations

Use ground turkey or chicken instead of beef for a lighter version.
Add cooked quinoa or couscous to the filling for extra texture.
Mix in chopped vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for added flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Make sure to blanch the peppers before stuffing them to soften them slightly and make them easier to eat.

- Use a mix of ground beef and onions for a flavorful filling.

- Be sure to pack the filling tightly into the peppers to ensure they hold their shape while baking.

- Top the stuffed peppers with cheese for a gooey and delicious finish.

Serving Suggestions

Italian Stuffed Peppers can be served with a side salad or crusty bread for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Bake the stuffed peppers in the oven until the peppers are tender and the filling is cooked through.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use any color bell peppers for this recipe, such as red, yellow, or orange.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the filling for the stuffed peppers ahead of time and store it in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Presentation Ideas

Serve the stuffed peppers on a platter garnished with fresh herbs for a beautiful presentation.

Pairing Recommendations

Italian Stuffed Peppers pair well with a glass of red wine, such as Chianti or Sangiovese.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Italian Stuffed Peppers contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Italian Stuffed Peppers contains approximately 20 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Italian Stuffed Peppers contains approximately 15 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Italian Stuffed Peppers contains approximately 25 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin A, and iron.

Alergens

Italian Stuffed Peppers contain dairy (cheese) and gluten (from the rice). Please be cautious if you have allergies to these ingredients.

Summary

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a classic Italian dish that is easy to make and full of flavor. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or a special occasion, these stuffed peppers are sure to be a hit. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the joy I felt when I first stumbled upon this recipe for Italian Stuffed Peppers. It was during a summer vacation in Italy many years ago, when I had the pleasure of staying with a local family in the picturesque countryside. The matriarch of the family, Nonna Maria, took me under her wing and taught me the art of Italian cooking.

Nonna Maria was a formidable woman, with a twinkle in her eye and a passion for feeding her loved ones. She spent her days in the kitchen, surrounded by pots and pans, creating delicious dishes that filled the house with mouth-watering aromas. One afternoon, as we sat at the kitchen table shelling peas for dinner, Nonna Maria suddenly jumped up with a glint of excitement in her eye.

"Ah, mia cara," she exclaimed, "I have the perfect recipe for you to try. It is a family favorite - Italian Stuffed Peppers. You must learn how to make them!"

I was thrilled at the prospect of learning a new recipe from Nonna Maria, and eagerly followed her as she gathered the ingredients from the pantry. The recipe seemed deceptively simple - bell peppers, ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and a handful of herbs and spices. But as Nonna Maria guided me through the process, I soon realized that it was the love and care she put into each step that truly made the dish special.

We started by hollowing out the bell peppers and blanching them in boiling water until they were tender. While they cooled, Nonna Maria cooked the ground beef with onions, garlic, and herbs until it was fragrant and golden brown. She then mixed in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, creating a flavorful filling that smelled divine.

As we stuffed the peppers with the mixture and arranged them in a baking dish, Nonna Maria shared stories of her own grandmother, who had taught her the recipe many years ago. She spoke of family gatherings around the dinner table, laughter and love filling the air as they savored each bite of the delicious dish. I could see the pride and nostalgia in her eyes as she passed on the tradition to me.

After a generous drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of breadcrumbs, the peppers were ready to be baked in the oven. As they cooked, the kitchen filled with the tantalizing scent of roasted peppers and savory filling, making my mouth water in anticipation. Nonna Maria and I sat at the table, sipping on glasses of wine and chatting about life, while the peppers bubbled away in the oven.

When the timer finally dinged, we eagerly pulled the baking dish out of the oven and marveled at the golden brown tops of the stuffed peppers. Nonna Maria's eyes sparkled with pride as she served up the peppers on a platter, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a sprinkle of grated cheese. The first bite was a revelation - the peppers were tender and sweet, the filling savory and comforting, a perfect marriage of flavors and textures.

As we sat around the table, savoring each bite of the Italian Stuffed Peppers, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for Nonna Maria and the gift she had shared with me. The recipe was more than just a list of ingredients and instructions - it was a connection to a long line of strong, passionate women who had passed down their culinary knowledge through generations.

Since that day in Italy, I have made Italian Stuffed Peppers countless times, each time with a smile on my face and a heart full of memories. I have shared the recipe with friends and family, passing on the tradition just as Nonna Maria did for me. And every time I take a bite of those delicious peppers, I am transported back to that sunny kitchen in Italy, surrounded by love, laughter, and the aroma of good food cooking on the stove.