There are many different variations of the stuffed peppers recipe, an American favorite. There are Mediterranean, Bulgarian, Italian and southwestern versions of this popular dish. All styles, using regional ingredients, give the peppers their own spin.
This recipe uses a trio of bell peppers. The use of yellow, red, and green peppers makes such a beautiful presentation. The Italian-style stewed tomatoes are already seasoned with oregano, garlic, and basil, making this stuffed peppers recipe even more flavorful.
Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Ingredients:
1 pound lean ground beef
4 medium green, red or yellow bell peppers
3/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup uncooked rice
3 Tablespoons catsup, divided
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can Italian-style stewed tomatoes, undrained
Directions:
1. Cut tops off bell peppers; remove seeds and membrane.
2. Combine ground beef, onion, rice, 2 Tbsp. catsup, 1/2 tsp. oregano, and salt and pepper, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
3. Spoon an equal amount of meat mixture into each bell pepper. Place in 8-inch square baking dish.
4. Combine tomatoes, remaining catsup and remaining oregano; pour over stuffed peppers.
5. Cover baking dish tightly with foil. Bake in 350 degree F oven for 1 1/2 hours.
How Your Kids Can Help You With This Recipe
This recipe is a great one to have your kids help you with. Any time you have your kids help you cook, the learn and improve life skills that they'll need as adults. Plus, cooking with your kids will make lasting memories for all of you.
Kids of any age can help you grab and mix ingredients. Remember to teach your kids about cross-contamination when it comes to raw meat. Have them thoroughly wash their hands with soap and warm water for at least 30 seconds after handling raw meat.
Your kids can also help you spoon the meat mixture into the bell peppers. This is easy for even young kids to do; as long as your kid has developed their fine motor skills, they should be able to help with this. Cutting the tops off of the peppers should be left to you and to your older kids, since young kids are not ready to handle sharp objects like that. In addition, only you or your older children should handle putting the peppers in the oven or taking them back out.
Whenever your kids are in the kitchen cooking with you, make sure you enforce kitchen safety. Don't let your children run or act rowdy. Monitor them when they use knives or scissors, and teach them how to walk properly with them. Teach them how to act around hot surfaces. All of these things are critical to ensuring your time cooking together doesn't end with a trip to the emergency room.
By having your kids help you cook, you'll give them a greater appreciation for the food that they eat. Eating food that you've cooked is always satisfying, and you'll savor each bite even more. Invite your kids to help you make some of the other wonderful recipes we have available on our site! There are plenty of recipes here that your kids can help you with, including some designed specifically for them.