Il Cucinologo
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Sweet Stuffed Peppers

17/11/2023

Here is the classic Italian recipe for preparing sweet stuffed peppers (Mediterranean-style stuffed peppers):

Ingredients

  • 4 large sweet peppers
  • 300g ground meat (you can use beef, pork, or a mixture of the two)
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 1 cup rice, cooked
  • 100g grated Parmesan
  • 400g peeled tomatoes, chopped (or tomato sauce)
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Fresh basil (optional)
  • Dried oregano (optional)
  • Breadcrumbs (optional, for a crispy crust)

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
  2. Wash the peppers, cut off the tops to create “lids,” and remove the seeds and inner membranes.
  3. In a large skillet, heat a little oil and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent. Add the garlic and continue sautéing for a few minutes.
  4. Add the ground meat and cook until well browned, breaking it up with a spoon.
  5. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the cooked rice, Parmesan, and half of the peeled tomatoes. If desired, you can also add some chopped basil or oregano for extra flavor.
  6. Stuff each pepper with the meat and rice mixture, packing it lightly.
  7. If desired, sprinkle the surface of the stuffed peppers with breadcrumbs; this will add a pleasant crunch.
  8. Arrange the peppers in a lightly oiled baking dish and pour the remaining peeled tomatoes around the peppers.
  9. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for about 40-45 minutes. In the last 10 minutes of cooking, remove the foil to brown the surface.
  10. Serve hot, garnished with basil leaves if available.

Trivia

Stuffed peppers are a very popular dish in Italy, with local variations that may include the addition of capers, olives, and anchovies for an even more Mediterranean touch or replacing the meat with tuna and breadcrumbs for a lighter version, typical of summer.

I hope you enjoy cooking and savoring this flavorful dish! If you have any dietary restrictions or would like a vegetarian version, let me know and I will be happy to adapt the recipe for you.