Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers

 "Ingredients:

- 4 large bell peppers, any color

- 1 lb lean ground beef

- 1 onion, finely chopped

- 2 cloves of garlic, minced

- 1 cup cooked rice

- 1 cup of tomato sauce

- 1 teaspoon of salt

- 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper

- 1 teaspoon of Italian seasoning

- 1 cup of shredded mozzarella cheese

- 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). 

2. Cut the tops off the bell peppers and scoop out the seeds and the ribs. Set aside.

3. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook until they are soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.

4. Then, add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until no pink remains. Drain the excess grease.

5. Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

6. Stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture. Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish, upright.

7. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35 minutes.

8. Remove the foil, top each pepper with shredded mozzarella cheese, and bake for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

9. Let the peppers cool for a few minutes before serving.

This recipe serves 4, and each serving has approximately 385 calories, 18g of fat, 30g of protein, and 25g of carbohydrates.

Cooking Tips:

Choose bell peppers that are flat on the bottom, they will stand up better in the baking dish. You can also slice a small layer off the bottom of the pepper to help it stand upright.

Switch up the flavors by using a different type of cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack.

For a vegetarian version, replace the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or add more veggies like mushrooms or zucchini.

Unique Twist:

For a spicy kick, add some red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeno to the beef and rice mixture. You can also top the stuffed peppers with fresh herbs like basil or parsley for an added freshness."