Ingredients:
Bell Peppers:
- 6 medium-sized bell peppers (use your favorite colors – red, green, yellow, or orange)
Dirty Rice Filling:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef, pork, or turkey
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 package (or 1 cup) pre-made dirty rice mix (like Zatarain’s)*
- 2-2 ½ cups chicken or beef broth (low sodium if you prefer)
- 1 (15oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained (optional)
- Hot sauce, Cajun/Creole seasoning to taste
Topping (Optional):
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup breadcrumbs
- 1 tbsp melted butter
*If you can’t find pre-made dirty rice mix, use regular rice and add extra Cajun/Creole seasoning to taste.
Instructions:
Prep the Peppers:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and ribs. Consider halving them lengthwise for easier filling and eating.
- Parboil the peppers: Lightly boil the bell peppers for about 3-5 minutes to slightly soften them. Drain well.
Make the Dirty Rice:
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground meat and cook, breaking it up, until browned. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Add onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Cook for 5 minutes, or until softened.
- Prepare the dirty rice mix according to package directions, using the broth as the liquid. Alternatively, cook rice separately and mix with Cajun seasoning. Stir in the ground meat mixture.
- Add diced tomatoes (if using), hot sauce, and more Creole/Cajun seasoning to taste.
Stuff the Peppers:
- Place the parboiled peppers in a baking dish.
- Fill each pepper generously with the dirty rice mixture.
Bake:
- Pour a small amount of broth or water into the bottom of the baking dish (about ¼ inch) to prevent burning.
- Cover tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 30-40 minutes, or until peppers are tender.
Optional Cheese Topping:
- For the last 10-15 minutes of baking, remove the foil. Sprinkle the peppers with cheddar cheese, a mix of breadcrumbs and melted butter (if you like). Bake uncovered until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Tips:
- Leftovers: Stuffed peppers reheat well! Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjustments: Add other ingredients to your filling like sausage, corn, beans, or your favorite vegetables.
- Slow Cooker Version: Brown the meat and vegetables, then transfer to a slow cooker with the rice mixture and broth. Cook on low for 4-6 hours or high for 2-3 hours.
- Serving: Serve as is, or offer accompaniments like a simple green salad or extra hot sauce.
