Ingredients:

  • 4 large bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 lb (450g) Italian sausage (mild or spicy, according to preference)
  • 1 cup (150g) diced onion
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup (150g) diced tomatoes (canned or fresh)
  • 1 cup (120g) cooked rice (white or brown)
  • 1 tsp (5g) dried oregano
  • 1 tsp (5g) dried basil
  • ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Olive oil (for drizzling)
  • ½ cup (50g) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • Fresh basil leaves (for garnish, optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Place them upright in a baking dish.
  3. In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onions and garlic, sauté until softened.
  4. Add Italian sausage, breaking it apart with a spoon; cook until browned and cooked through. Stir in diced tomatoes, cooked rice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix until well combined.
  5. Spoon the sausage mixture into each bell pepper, pressing down gently to pack. Top each stuffed pepper with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.
  6. Drizzle the stuffed peppers with olive oil and cover the baking dish with foil. Bake for 25 minutes, then remove the foil and add mozzarella cheese on top. Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
  7. Remove from the oven, let cool slightly, and garnish with fresh basil if desired.