Pizza Stuffed Peppers Dinner (Printer-Friendly)

Bell peppers brimming with seasoned beef, pepperoni, rice, and rich marinara topped with gooey mozzarella.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large bell peppers, tops removed, seeded, and membranes discarded
02 - 1 medium yellow onion, diced

→ Meat and Protein

03 - 450 grams (1 pound) ground beef, 85% lean
04 - 60 grams (approximately 20 slices) mini pepperoni

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup instant white rice

→ Dairy

06 - 120 grams (1 cup) shredded mozzarella cheese

→ Pantry Items

07 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
08 - 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
09 - ½ teaspoon onion powder
10 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
12 - 1 cup marinara sauce, preferably low sugar
13 - 1 cup beef broth, reduced sodium

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Remove tops and seeds from bell peppers; dice reserved tops for filling. Boil pepper shells in water for 5 minutes to soften without losing shape.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add diced onion and reserved pepper pieces; cook 4 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
03 - Stir in seasoned salt, onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, and mini pepperoni. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute flavors.
04 - Add marinara sauce, instant rice, and beef broth. Reduce heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.
05 - Place parboiled peppers upright in a baking dish. Fill each pepper tightly with beef and rice mixture. Top evenly with shredded mozzarella and extra pepperoni slices.
06 - Bake at 350°F (177°C) on the oven’s lower rack for 18-20 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and peppers are fork-tender but firm.

# Helpful Hints:

01 - Parboiling peppers ensures perfect tenderness without sogginess and preserves shape during baking.
02 - Shredding mozzarella fresh enhances melt and stretch compared to pre-shredded varieties.
03 - Taste the beef mixture before stuffing and adjust seasoning as desired.

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