Stuffed Pepper Bake
Ingredients:
- 1-1.5 lbs ground beef
- 4 cups cooked white rice (preferably leftover from the night before)
- 3 green bell peppers
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1 orange bell pepper
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 family-size jar (45 oz) Prego meat-flavored sauce
- Salt, pepper, and oregano to taste
- Optional: shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions:
- Prepare Ingredients:
- Ground Beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until it’s browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess fat. Season with salt, pepper, and oregano to taste.
- White Rice: If you don’t have leftover rice, cook 2 cups of uncooked white rice according to package instructions to yield about 4 cups of cooked rice.
- Bell Peppers: Wash the bell peppers thoroughly. Cut off the tops, remove the seeds and membranes, and dice the peppers into small pieces. If you prefer softer peppers, place them in a pot of boiling water for about 5-10 minutes to soften them slightly. Drain the peppers well after boiling.
- Combine Ingredients:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked ground beef, cooked white rice, diced tomatoes, and softened bell peppers. Add the entire jar of Prego meat-flavored sauce and mix thoroughly. Taste the mixture and adjust the seasoning with additional salt, pepper, and oregano if needed.
- Assemble the Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Transfer the mixture to a large baking dish, spreading it out evenly.
- If you prefer, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the mixture.
- Bake:
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil to prevent the top from drying out.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the dish is heated through and the flavors have melded together.
- Serve:
- Remove the foil and let the dish cool for a few minutes before serving.
- If you plan to reheat leftovers the next day, consider adding a little extra sauce before reheating, as the rice will absorb much of the sauce.
Enjoy your Stuffed Pepper Bake!
Feel free to adjust the recipe to your liking by adding different types of cheese or additional seasonings.