Yields: 6 servings
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
Ingredients
Bell Peppers:
- 2 medium (any color you prefer)
Meat Mixture:
- 1/2 lb lean ground beef
- 1/2 lb sweet Italian sausage (casing removed)
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs (gluten-free if necessary)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup minced onion (or 1 small shallot)
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Pinch red pepper flakes (optional, for a bit of heat)
Topping:
- 1 cup marinara sauce (your favorite kind)
- 1/2 cup shredded Italian blend cheese
Equipment
- Large bowl
- Baking sheet
- Oven-safe skillet (optional)
Instructions
Get things started:
Preheat Oven:
- Set your oven to 400°F (200°C).
Prep the Peppers:
- Slice the top and bottom off the bell peppers to create flat surfaces.
- Remove seeds and inner ribs.
- Cut each pepper crosswise into 3 or 4 thick rings, depending on the size of the peppers.
Make the meatloaves:
- Meat Mixture: Combine ground beef, sausage, breadcrumbs, egg, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes (if using) in a large bowl. Mix gently with your hands until just combined (don’t overmix).
- Form the mini-loaves: Divide the mixture into equal portions (6 if you have 3 rings per pepper). Roll each portion into a ball, then gently press it into a pepper ring.
- Initial Browning (Optional): For a richer flavor, brown the meatloaves in an oven-safe skillet for a few minutes per side. If you don’t have an oven-safe skillet, skip this step and bake straight away.
Bake and top:
- Bake: Place pepper rings with their meatloaf filling on a baking sheet. Spread a tablespoon or two of marinara sauce on top of each mini meatloaf. Bake for 30 minutes, covered with foil.
- Add Cheese: Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle each meatloaf with shredded cheese.
- Final bake: Return to the oven, uncovered, and bake 5-7 more minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Serve and Enjoy:
- Let the meatloaves rest for a few minutes before serving.
- This dish is delicious alongside mashed potatoes, rice, or pasta!
Tips:
- Adjust spice: Add more or less red pepper flakes based on your spice preference.
- Flavor variations: Experiment with different sausage varieties (like spicy Italian), or add finely diced vegetables to the meat mixture.
- Storage: Leftovers will keep in the fridge for 3-4 days.
