Stuffed peppers with tomato sauce

Delicious stuffed peppers recipe with tomato sauce

Stuffed peppers are a classic dish that brings joy and warmth to every meal. This recipe perfectly combines the sweet taste of peppers with a savory filling of meat and rice, all covered with a flavorful tomato sauce. Whether you choose to serve them for lunch or dinner, these stuffed peppers with tomato sauce will delight your taste buds and bring a smile to the faces of your loved ones.

Preparation time:
- Preparation: 30 minutes
- Cooking: 40 minutes
- Total: 1 hour and 10 minutes
- Servings: 10 stuffed peppers

Ingredients:
- 10 medium-sized peppers
- 650 g ground chicken
- 200 g rice
- 2 medium onions
- 2 large carrots
- 1 tomato
- 1 egg
- 1 bunch of fresh parsley
- Salt, pepper, paprika
- Oil for frying
- For the tomato sauce:
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- Oil
- 1 and a half cups of water
- Vegeta or other preferred spices

Step by step:

1. Preparing the peppers:
- Start by washing the peppers well under a stream of cold water. Cut off the tops and remove the seeds, being careful not to damage their shape. The peppers should be whole to be stuffed.

2. Preparing the filling:
- Peel and finely chop the onion. Peel the carrots and grate them using a large grater. Peel the tomato (you can press it with a knife to make it easier to peel) and grate it using a small grater or mash it to obtain a puree.
- In a large skillet, add a few tablespoons of oil and heat it over medium heat. When the oil is hot, add the onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent. Add the grated carrot and tomato, stirring occasionally. Cook the mixture for 10 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
- Once the vegetables are softened, add the ground chicken. Continue to cook for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the meat is well cooked. Turn off the heat.

3. Assembling the filling:
- In a large bowl, combine the vegetable and meat mixture with the rice (which you have washed in several warm waters to remove the starch), the beaten egg, salt, pepper, and paprika. Add the chopped fresh parsley for a fresher taste. Mix well until you obtain a homogeneous composition.

4. Stuffing the peppers:
- Using a spoon, fill each pepper with the meat and rice mixture, being careful not to overfill them, as the rice will expand during cooking.

5. Cooking the peppers:
- In a large skillet, place the peppers upright, add water until they are covered by three-quarters, and add a chopped tomato for extra flavor. Cook over medium heat until the peppers are tender, about 25-30 minutes.

6. Preparing the tomato sauce:
- For the tomato sauce, peel the remaining two tomatoes and blend them in a blender. In a pot, add 3-4 tablespoons of oil and the mashed tomato, then add the tomato paste, Vegeta, and 1 and a half cups of water. Let it boil for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Serving:
- When the peppers are ready, remove them to a platter and pour the tomato sauce over them. Sprinkle some chopped green parsley on top for a colorful and fresh appearance. You can serve them warm, alongside a green salad or creamy polenta.

Stories and variations:
This stuffed pepper recipe with tomato sauce is extremely versatile. You can experiment with different types of meat, such as beef or pork, or even try a vegetarian version using mushrooms and various vegetables. Adding feta cheese to the filling can add a savory touch, and finely chopped garlic will provide an extra burst of flavor.

Nutritional benefits:
This dish is an excellent source of protein due to the chicken, while the whole rice provides healthy carbohydrates. Peppers are rich in vitamins A and C, making this recipe a healthy choice for any meal.

Frequently asked questions:

1. Can I use pre-cooked rice?
- Yes, you can use cooked rice, but make sure to reduce the cooking time of the mixture.

2. How can I make the sauce spicier?
- You can add chili flakes or chili sauce to the tomato sauce.

3. What is the best way to store stuffed peppers?
- Keep them in an airtight container in the fridge, where they can last up to 3 days.

So, don’t hesitate to try this simple and delicious stuffed pepper recipe with tomato sauce. It will win you over with its flavors and quickly become a staple in your kitchen. Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 10 small peppers, 650g minced chicken, 200g rice, 2 onions, 2 carrots, 1 tomato, fresh parsley, 1 egg, salt, pepper, paprika, oil, for the tomato sauce: 2 large tomatoes, 1 tablespoon tomato paste, oil, water, seasoning.

 Tags:  pepper chicken meat rice