Nus Stuffed Peppers

Nu's Stuffed Peppers

  • 6 green peppers, or use a combination of green and red bell peppers or other colors
  • 1 tablespoons butter
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup chopped onion
  • 1/2 cup chopped celery
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
  • 2 teaspoons salt, divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef (at least 85%)
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked long-grain rice
  • Shredded mild Cheddar cheese, about 1/2 to 3/4 cup, optional
  1. Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  2. Cut the tops off of the bell peppers and rinse them under cold water; remove seeds and cut away the membranes, which might be bitter. Chop the edible part of tops and set aside. Place peppers in a large pot and cover with salted water. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
  3. Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat until the oil is hot and the butter is foamy. Saute the chopped bell pepper (from the tops), chopped onion, and chopped celery for about 5 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Add the (undrained) canned diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, crushed garlic, oregano, basil, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10 minutes.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, and Worcestershire sauce. Gently stir to blend; add ground beef, cooked rice, and 1 cup of the tomato sauce mixture. Mix well
  5. Heat the oven to 350F
  6. Stuff the peppers loosely with the meat mixture and place in a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking pan. Pour the remaining tomato mixture over the stuffed peppers
  7. Bake the peppers for about 45 minutes, or until the meat mixture is thoroughly cooked. To check the internal temperature, use an instant-read thermometer. The temperature should be at least 160F for ground beef, pork or lamb, or 165F for ground turkey or chicken.

Options

  • Top stuffed peppers with a little shredded Cheddar cheese just before they are done and then return them to the oven and bake just until the cheese has melted.
  • Use green bell peppers or red bell peppers, or any combination of colors.
  • Ground turkey or ground chicken can be substituted for the ground beef in the recipe.
  • The peppers may also be halved horizontally so you have two halves to fill. You won't have the extra chopped pepper from the tops, but you can chop an extra bell pepper.