Classic Stuffed Bell Peppers

By cserumga

- From America's Test Kitchen

- Serves 4 as light main or side dish

Ingredients

• # table salt
• # 4 medium red bell peppers , yellow, or orange, (about 6 ounces each), 1/2 inch trimmed off tops, cores and seeds discarded
• # 1/2 cup long grain white rice
• # 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• # 1 medium onion , chopped fine (about 1 cup)
• # 12 ounces ground beef , preferably ground chuck
• # 3 medium cloves garlic , minced
• # 1 can (14 1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes , drained, 1/4 cup juice reserved
• # 5 ounces Monterey Jack cheese , shredded (1 1/4 cups)
• # 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• # Ground black pepper
• # 1/4 cup ketchup

Details

Adapted from americastestkitchen.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Bring 4 quarts water to boil in large stockpot or Dutch oven over high heat. Add 1 tablespoon salt and bell peppers. Cook until peppers just begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, remove peppers from pot, drain off excess water, and place peppers cut-sides up on paper towels. Return water to boil; add rice and boil until tender, about 13 minutes. Drain rice and transfer to large bowl; set aside.

2. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.

3. Meanwhile, heat 12-inch heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until hot, about 1 1/2 minutes; add oil and swirl to coat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add ground beef and cook, breaking beef into small pieces with spoon, until no longer pink, about 4 minutes. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Transfer mixture to bowl with rice; stir in tomatoes, 1 cup cheese, parsley, and salt and pepper to taste.

4. Stir together ketchup and reserved tomato juice in small bowl.

5. Place peppers cut-side up in 9-inch square baking dish. Using soup spoon, divide filling evenly among peppers. Spoon 2 tablespoons ketchup mixture over each filled pepper and sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon of remaining cheese. Bake until cheese is browned and filling is heated through, 25 to 30 minutes. Serve immediately.