Roasted Stuffed Bell Peppers is a traditional recipe with its roots in Mediterranean cuisine, although its popularity has spread throughout Latin America under different names and variations. In countries like Mexico, they are known simply as "stuffed peppers," while in Argentina and Chile they are called "stuffed bell peppers" and in Colombia they are also recognized by this name, standing out for their versatility and combination of local ingredients.
The origin of this preparation dates back to ancient times, where peppers were stuffed with abundant ingredients like meats, rice, and spices to create a complete and nutritious dish. Nowadays, this recipe is a classic on many Latin American tables, adaptable to different tastes and ingredient preferences, and highly appreciated for its simplicity and homemade flavor.
How to Prepare Roasted Stuffed Bell Peppers
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
In a large bowl, combine ground meat, cooked rice, chopped bell pepper, chopped onion, chopped garlic, Italian seasoning, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, and salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Use your hands to mix the ingredients well.
Using a 1/2-cup measuring cup, measure a 1/2-cup portion of the meat mixture for each pepper half and stuff them.
At this point, if you are using this recipe for OAMC (Once A Month Cooking), you can wrap your peppers in plastic wrap, then place them in a zip-lock bag and store them in the freezer for later use.
Place the peppers in a baking dish and cover them with your favorite spaghetti sauce, either jarred or homemade.
Cover and cook for 90 minutes.
After 90 minutes, check the peppers to see how they are cooking.
If they are almost ready, uncover and baste with some of the spaghetti sauce from the baking dish.
Bake for 20 more minutes, then cover each pepper half with shredded cheese and continue baking for another 10 to 15 minutes.
Serve with freshly baked bread and a salad, enjoy!
Ingredients: Red Bell Peppers, Ground Meat, Cooked Rice, Bell Pepper, Onion, Garlic Cloves, Italian Seasoning, Egg, Italian Breadcrumbs, Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper, Spaghetti Sauce, Sharp Cheddar Cheese.
