Hearty Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Delight
Transport your taste buds back to comforting childhood memories with this Hearty Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Delight. This dish was inspired by the warm and nurturing meals my mother would whip up on cozy family nights. Each green bell pepper is filled to the brim with a savory mixture of ground beef, fluffy rice, and zesty tomatoes, all enveloped in a rich vegetable juice sauce. It's perfect for busy weeknights yet special enough to serve at gatherings, making it a versatile one-dish meal that brings everyone to the table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cooked rice
3 cups (Cook according to package instructions before use.)
Ground beef
1 lb (Use as is.)
Onion
1 medium (Dice finely.)
Diced tomatoes
1 (15 ounce) can (Use directly from the can.)
Green bell peppers
3 (Cut in half and seeded.)
Vegetable juice (V8)
12 ounces (Measure out as instructed.)
Ketchup
1/4 cup (Use as is.)
Salt
To taste (Use as needed for seasoning.)
Pepper
To taste (Use as needed for seasoning.)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Begin by preparing the green bell peppers: cut them in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and core.
3
To soften the peppers, you can microwave them for about 4-5 minutes or until they are approximately half-cooked. Set them aside to cool slightly.
4
Meanwhile, dice the onion and sauté it in a skillet over medium heat until it becomes translucent, releasing its sweet aroma.
5
Add the ground beef to the skillet along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook until the beef is thoroughly browned and cooked through, breaking it up as it cooks.
6
Stir in the diced tomatoes, including their juice, and let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
7
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sautéed beef mixture with the cooked rice until well blended.
8
Pour in about 3/4 of the vegetable juice and the ketchup, mixing well. Taste the filling and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
9
Carefully stuff each halved green bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it in gently.
10
In a baking dish, spread any remaining filling mixture at the bottom and arrange the stuffed peppers upright on top.
11
Pour the remaining vegetable juice over the stuffed peppers and around the filling.
12
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 35 minutes, until the peppers are tender.
13
Remove the foil and let the dish rest for a few minutes before serving to let the flavors settle.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Stuffed Green Bell Peppers Delight?
It is a comforting one-dish meal consisting of green bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of ground beef, rice, and tomatoes, baked in a vegetable juice sauce.
What type of peppers are used in this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for three green bell peppers.
How should the peppers be prepared for stuffing?
The peppers should be cut in half lengthwise, and the seeds and core must be removed.
Do I need to precook the peppers?
Yes, you should microwave the halved peppers for about 4-5 minutes until they are approximately half-cooked to soften them.
What is the main protein in the filling?
The main protein used is one pound of ground beef.
Does the rice need to be cooked before mixing?
Yes, the recipe requires 3 cups of cooked rice.
What kind of sauce is used for the stuffing?
The filling uses a combination of vegetable juice (such as V8) and ketchup.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the stuffed peppers need to bake?
They should be baked for 30 to 35 minutes until the peppers are tender.
Should the baking dish be covered?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil while baking.
How much vegetable juice is required?
A total of 12 ounces of vegetable juice is used in the recipe.
How much ketchup is added to the mixture?
The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of ketchup.
What should I do with the onion?
One medium onion should be finely diced and sautéed until translucent before adding the beef.
Do I use the juice from the diced tomatoes?
Yes, include the juice from the 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes in the mixture.
How long should the beef and tomato mixture simmer?
Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
What should I do with any remaining filling?
Spread any leftover filling mixture at the bottom of the baking dish before arranging the peppers.
How are the peppers arranged in the dish?
Place the stuffed pepper halves upright on top of the filling at the bottom of the dish.
When do I add the remaining vegetable juice?
After arranging the peppers in the dish, pour the remaining juice over and around them before baking.
Is there a resting period after cooking?
Yes, let the dish rest for a few minutes after removing the foil to let the flavors settle.
What seasonings are used?
The recipe uses salt and pepper to taste.
Can I substitute the ground beef?
While the recipe calls for ground beef, you could likely use ground turkey or a plant-based alternative.
Is this recipe suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a versatile one-dish meal perfect for busy weeknights or family gatherings.
How many servings does this make?
Using three peppers cut in half produces six stuffed pepper halves.
What inspired this recipe?
The dish was inspired by the creator's childhood memories of their mother's home-cooked meals.
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, as long as it is cooked according to package instructions before being added to the mix.
What kind of vegetable juice is best?
The recipe suggests using V8 or a similar vegetable juice blend.
How do I know when the peppers are done?
The peppers are done when they are tender to the touch after baking.
Should the beef be drained after browning?
While the recipe doesn't explicitly state to drain, it is common practice to remove excess fat after browning.
Is this a quick meal to prepare?
Yes, with tags like 'easy recipe' and 'quick meal', it is designed for efficiency.
Can I add extra spices?
Yes, you can adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper or other herbs to suit your taste.