Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers (Printable Recipe)

Hearty skillet of deconstructed stuffed peppers with rice, beef, and bell peppers topped with melted cheese.

# Ingredients You'll Need:

→ Base Ingredients

01 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
02 - 1 lb ground beef (85/15)
03 - 1/2 cup diced yellow onion
04 - 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

→ Vegetables & Liquids

05 - 3 cups diced red bell peppers
06 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
07 - 15 oz can tomato sauce
08 - 1 cup dry white rice

→ Seasonings

09 - 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
10 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

13 - 1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook for 10 minutes, breaking apart with a wooden spoon until no longer pink. Drain excess grease from the skillet.
02 - Add diced onions to the skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for an additional 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Stir in dried basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Add tomato sauce, white rice, beef broth, and diced bell peppers. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is fully cooked and tender.
05 - Remove from heat and sprinkle mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover and let stand for 2-3 minutes until cheese melts completely.

# Extra Tips:

01 - Drain excess grease before adding seasonings to prevent greasy texture
02 - Add garlic last to prevent burning during the cooking process
03 - Taste and adjust seasonings as needed - longer simmering develops deeper flavors
04 - Use freshly shredded cheese for better melting results