Ingredients:

• 2/3 cup long grain white rice (or 2 cups cooked rice)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 6 bell peppers (medium to large, any color)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 1/4 lbs lean ground beef (or ground turkey for a healthier option)
• 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 3 garlic cloves, minced (about 1 tbsp)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
• 3 tbsp minced fresh parsley (plus more for garnish)
• 2 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Cook rice according to package instructions.
2. Prepare the peppers:
   • Trim the tops of the bell peppers by about 1/4 inch.
   • Remove the stems, ribs, and seeds.
   • Place a baking dish with 1/2 inch of water and arrange the peppers upside down in the dish.
   • Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
3. Cook the filling:
   • Heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add chopped onions and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened.
   • Move onions to one side of the skillet.
   • Add ground beef (or turkey), season with salt and pepper, and sear for about 3 minutes.
   • Break up the meat and mix with onions.
   • Add minced garlic and cook for another minute until the beef is fully cooked.
   • Drain excess fat from the skillet.
4. Add the vegetables and seasonings:
   • Stir in diced tomatoes, half of the tomato sauce (about 1/2 cup), cooked rice, parsley, and Italian seasoning.
   • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Stuff the peppers:
   • Reduce oven temperature to 350°F (175°C).
   • Carefully turn the baked peppers upright, lightly season the inside with salt, and fill with the beef mixture.
   • Pour the remaining tomato sauce over the stuffed peppers.
   • Cover with foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes.
6. Add cheese and bake:
   • Remove foil, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of each stuffed pepper.
   • Bake uncovered for 10-20 minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
7. Garnish and serve:
   • Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve warm.

Notes:

• Rice tip: Brown rice can be used in place of white rice, but it will take longer to cook. If using leftover rice, add an extra 1/4 cup of tomato sauce or a little broth to keep it moist.
• Ground turkey option: For a leaner meal, ground turkey (85-93% lean) can replace the ground beef, but it won’t sear in the same way, so skip the browning step.

Nutrition