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Some of the best dishes are reinventions of a classic. Take these italian stuffed bell peppers for instance. Sausage and peppers gets a new look by stuffing juicy bell peppers to the brim with italian sausage, rice, veggies, and spices. A fun spin on a simple dish makes for an amazing weeknight dinner. Plus this is a fun way to get extra veggies in those picky eaters diets!
Baked Bell Peppers
The star, and vessel, of this dish are bright, colorful bell peppers. Sweet and large enough to fill with whatever you want, bell peppers are perfect for stuffing with a whole slew of things. They do take a bit of time to cook whole, though, so before we can stuff anything we need to prep the peppers. Begin by slicing 3 large bell peppers in half through the stem.
Preheat the oven to 375. While the oven heats, place your bell peppers in a casserole dish and drizzle the inside and outside of each pepper with olive oil, rubbing it all over. Next, liberally season the insides of each pepper with salt and place all of the peppers insides up. Place the peppers in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the peppers are almost completely cooked through. They will be soft to the touch but not completely limp.
Italian Filling
While the peppers are baking, it is time to prepare the filling. Begin by heating a large saute pan over medium high heat. Crumble and brown 1 pound of italian sausage. Drain the fat and add 1 small diced white onion and 6 oz of diced mushrooms to the pan. Cook the mixture until the vegetables are soft.
Next, add in 2 minced garlic cloves, 1 drained can (14.5oz) of petite diced tomatoes, and 1 1/2 cups of cooked white rice to the pan. Season with 1 tbsp of italian seasoning, 2 tsp of white onion powder, 1 tsp red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5-10 minutes.
When the peppers are done in the oven, spoon generous amounts of the mixture into each pepper. Top with a few tablespoons of shredded mozzarella and return the peppers to the oven. Cook the peppers for an additional 15-20 minutes until the cheese is melted and begins to brown. Serve immediately. Just like that, you have delicious sausage and rice stuffed bell peppers for dinner!
Want More Easy Dinner Recipes?
- Italian Roasted Vegetables
- Sausage Pesto Pasta
- Chicken Parmesan Pasta
- Garlic Tomato Pasta With Seared Scallops
- Garlic Bread Pizza
Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients
- 3 bell peppers
- 1 lb italian sausage
- 6 oz mushrooms diced
- 1 small white onion diced
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- 14.5 oz petite tomatoes drained
- 1½ cups white rice cooked
- 1 tbsp italian seasoning
- 2 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp red chili flakes
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375
- Cut each bell pepper in half and remove the seeds and ribs. Drizzle insides and outsides with olive oil and season with salt.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the peppers are mostly cooked
- Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, crumble and brown the italian sausage. Drain and add in mushrooms and onions until cooked through. Add in garlic, tomatoes, rice, and seasonings
- Continue to cook for 5-10 minutes, then spoon filling into the par-cooked peppers. Top with shredded cheese and place back in the oven for 15-20 minutes
- Serve immediately
