Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Cheese

Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Cheese

Ingredients:

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)
• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup cooked rice (cauliflower rice for a low-carb option)
• 1 cup black beans, drained and rinsed (optional)
• 1 cup diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh cilantro or parsley for garnish (optional)
• Sour cream for serving (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare Bell Peppers:

1. Preheat Oven:
   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cut and Clean Peppers:
   • Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If needed, trim the bottoms slightly to help them stand upright in the baking dish.
3. Parboil Peppers:
   • Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the bell peppers and blanch for 3-4 minutes to slightly soften. Remove and drain.

Prepare Filling:

4. Cook Ground Beef:
   • In a large skillet, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
5. Add Aromatics:
   • Add diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet with the cooked beef. Sauté until the onion is softened.
6. Season:
   • Season the beef mixture with ground cumin, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
7. Combine Ingredients:
   • Add cooked rice, black beans (if using), and diced tomatoes to the skillet. Mix everything together until well combined.
8. Fill Bell Peppers:
   • Stuff each bell pepper with the ground beef and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack the filling.
9. Top with Cheese:
   • Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the tops of the stuffed bell peppers.

Bake:

10. Bake in Oven:
    • Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
11. Broil (Optional):
    • For a golden-brown top, you can broil the stuffed bell peppers for an additional 2-3 minutes, watching closely.

Garnish and Serve:

12. Garnish:
    • Remove the stuffed bell peppers from the oven. Garnish with fresh cilantro or parsley if desired.
13. Serve Hot:
    • Serve the Stuffed Bell Peppers with Ground Beef and Cheese hot. Optionally, top with sour cream.
14. Enjoy:
    • Enjoy this delicious and hearty dish!

Note:

• Feel free to customize the filling by adding other vegetables or spices to suit your taste.
• You can use a mix of different colored bell peppers for a visually appealing presentation.
• For a low-carb option, substitute cauliflower rice for regular rice.
• Adjust the level of spice by adding more or less chili powder according to your preference.

Keto Kitchen: 100 Delicious Low-Carb Recipes for Every Meal