Stuffed peppers are one of my very favorite foods. Over the years I have noticed that not many restaurants have them on their menu. To me, they are definitely a "home" cooked meal. This is a recipe that I put together many years ago and always go back to time and time again. In fact, I have never used another recipe for them. They are so good that I feel why tamper with something that is good to begin with. They're also pretty simple to make. Hope you enjoy!
5 large peppers (any color, I normally use green)
1 large jar spaghetti sauce
1 lb of ground beef
1 cup of rice(any kind will work)
1 medium onion
2 cloves of garlic
1 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 tbs bread crumbs
salt and pepper to taste
1 tbs olive oil
In large frying pan, with 1 tbs olive oil, cook onion for approx 1 minute under med/high heat. Add garlic and cook an additional minute. Add ground beef and all spices. Cook until meat is browned. Meanwhile cook rice according to instructions. When meat is brown drain excess oil and put meat into a large bowl. Add cooked rice to meat mixture in bowl. Add to mixture parmesan cheese and bread crumbs. I also like to add approximately 2 tbs of spaghetti sauce so there is some moisture. Mix all this very well. In large dutch oven add one large jar of spaghetti sauce and heat sauce on low setting. Add several tablespoons of meat mixture into each pepper till pepper is filled almost to the top. Do not pack filling in too tightly. (At this point I put the top of the pepper back on but most recipes do not call for this). Repeat with each pepper; add to dutch oven making sure each pepper supports the other or can stand upright without falling over. Turn heat up to medium until sauce starts to boil and then reduce to low and cover. Cook for approximately 1 hour or until pepper is soft. Scoop out with large spoon when done, slice open and add sauce on top of each. They will keep for about 2 days and make great leftovers that heat easily in the microwave.
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