Beef and Rice Stuffed Bell Peppers

INGREDIENTS:

• 6 bell peppers – we like to use a variety of colors
• 2 1/2 cups chunky tomato sauce
• 1/2 onion, very thinly sliced
• 1 cup beef broth or could do ½ cup broth and ½ cup red wine
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1 1/2 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 cup freshly shredded Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup chunky tomato sauce, divided
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. Slice the top 1/2 inch from the tops of peppers and cut out the stems from the tops. Cut the core from the inside of the peppers and strip away any seeds. Cut away a very thin slice of pepper from the bottoms so the peppers can stand upright. Poke about 4 tiny holes in the bottoms to let juices drain out.
3. Pour 2 1/2 cups tomato sauce into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Add onion, beef broth, wine and red pepper flakes; spread out mixture evenly over the bottom. Set prepared bell peppers upright in the dish.
4. Combine ground beef, cooked rice, Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, 1/4 cup parsley, 2 tablespoons tomato sauce, garlic, salt, and black pepper in a large mixing bowl.
5. Lightly stuff peppers with meat mixture. Spread 1 tablespoon remaining tomato sauce on top of each portion of stuffing; place reserved tops onto peppers. Lay a piece of parchment paper loosely on top of peppers and cover dish tightly with foil. Lay dish on a baking sheet.
6. Bake in preheated oven for 1 hour. Peppers should be starting to soften. Remove foil and parchment paper. Continue to bake until meat filling is cooked through and the peppers are tender, 20 to 30 more minutes. Sprinkle each pepper with 1/2 teaspoon parsley and drizzle with a spoonful of pan juices.