Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers are a delightful and hearty dish that combine the vibrant flavors of Italy with the comforting essence of stuffed vegetables. This dish features bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cheese, and Italian seasonings, making it perfect for family dinners or meal prep. Whether you’re looking for a healthy meal or simply want to enjoy a classic Italian taste, this recipe is sure to please everyone at the table.

Why Make This Recipe

Making Italian Stuffed Peppers is a great choice for several reasons. First, it’s a balanced meal packed with nutrition, combining protein, veggies, and carbohydrates. Second, it’s versatile; you can use different types of cheese, add more vegetables, or even make it vegetarian. Lastly, it’s an easy recipe to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or special occasions.

How to Make Italian Stuffed Peppers

Making Italian Stuffed Peppers is straightforward. First, you’ll prepare the peppers, then the filling, and finally bake everything together for a delicious finished dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon + 2 teaspoons olive oil, divided
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 lb. ground beef
• 24 oz. spaghetti sauce
• 8 oz. Lifeway Farmer cheese (or ricotta cheese)
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 4-6 bell peppers, halved lengthwise with the ribs and seeds removed
• 8 oz. shredded mozzarella
• Kosher salt
• Fresh cracked pepper
• Grated Parmesan
• Fresh chopped parsley

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
2. Slice the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds.
3. Place the peppers cut side up in a large baking dish. Brush with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
4. Bake the peppers in the oven for about 5 minutes.
5. In a large sauté pan, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion with a few pinches of salt and pepper, cooking for about 4 minutes while stirring frequently.
6. Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the pan, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
7. Next, add the ground beef, browning the meat while crumbling it with a spatula until it’s fully cooked.
8. Stir in the spaghetti sauce, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
9. In a small bowl, mix the farmer cheese (or ricotta) with the basil pesto.
10. Spoon the meat mixture evenly into each halved pepper, followed by the pesto cheese mixture.
11. Top each pepper with shredded mozzarella.
12. Bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling is warmed through and the peppers are tender-crisp.
13. Let the stuffed peppers sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
14. Garnish with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy your meal!

How to Serve Italian Stuffed Peppers

Italian Stuffed Peppers are best served hot from the oven. You can serve them whole or cut them into smaller pieces for easier sharing. Pair them with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. They also make a great main course for a gathering or dinner party.

How to Store Italian Stuffed Peppers

If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will last for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, simply place them in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Tips to Make Italian Stuffed Peppers

• Use a mix of cheeses for extra flavor.
• Feel free to add some cooked rice or quinoa to the meat mixture for added texture.
• If you prefer a spicier flavor, you can add red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
• Adjust the seasoning to your taste; every palate is different!

Variation

You can easily turn this recipe vegetarian by swapping out the ground beef for a mixture of beans, lentils, or chopped vegetables. For a lighter version, use turkey or chicken instead of beef.

FAQs

1. Can I use different types of peppers?
Yes! While bell peppers are traditional, you can use poblano, Anaheim, or any other type of peppers you enjoy.

2. Can I make these ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed peppers in advance and refrigerate them. Just bake them when you’re ready to eat.

3. What if I don’t have farmer cheese?
If you don’t have farmer cheese, you can substitute it with ricotta or even cream cheese for a different texture and flavor.

Enjoy making your Italian Stuffed Peppers!

Italian Stuffed Peppers

A delightful and hearty dish featuring bell peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground beef, cheese, and Italian seasonings.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Total Time 45 minutes mins

Course dinner, Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

  

For the Peppers

• 4-6 pieces bell peppers, halved lengthwise with the ribs and seeds removed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil for brushing the peppers
• Kosher salt Kosher salt to taste
• Fresh cracked pepper Fresh cracked pepper to taste

For the Filling

• 1 tablespoon olive oil remaining oil for cooking
• 1 medium yellow onion, diced
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
• 1 pound ground beef
• 24 oz. spaghetti sauce
• 8 oz. Lifeway Farmer cheese (or ricotta cheese)
• 1/4 cup basil pesto
• 8 oz. shredded mozzarella
• Grated Parmesan Grated Parmesan for garnish
• Fresh chopped parsley Fresh chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

 

Preparation

• Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the ribs and seeds.
• Place the peppers cut side up in a large baking dish. Brush with 2 teaspoons of olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake the peppers in the oven for about 5 minutes.

Cooking the Filling

• In a large sauté pan, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
• Add the diced onion with a few pinches of salt and pepper, cooking for about 4 minutes while stirring frequently.
• Add the minced garlic and Italian seasoning to the pan, cooking for an additional 1 minute.
• Next, add the ground beef, browning the meat while crumbling it with a spatula until it’s fully cooked.
• Stir in the spaghetti sauce, adjusting the seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.

Assembly and Baking

• In a small bowl, mix the farmer cheese (or ricotta) with the basil pesto.
• Spoon the meat mixture evenly into each halved pepper, followed by the pesto cheese mixture.
• Top each pepper with shredded mozzarella.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes until the filling is warmed through and the peppers are tender-crisp.
• Let the stuffed peppers sit for about 5 minutes before serving.

Serving

• Garnish with grated Parmesan and freshly chopped parsley. Enjoy your meal!

Notes

You can use a mix of cheeses for extra flavor. Add cooked rice or quinoa to the meat mixture for added texture. For spiciness, consider adding red pepper flakes to the beef mixture. Adjust seasoning to your taste.

Keyword Comfort Food, Hearty Dinner, Italian Cuisine, Italian Stuffed Peppers, Stuffed Peppers