Imagine cutting into a perfectly roasted bell pepper, revealing a mouth-watering mixture of tender ground veal and fluffy rice, all nestled in a rich marinara sauce that promises to transport you straight to an Italian grandmother's kitchen. These Veal Stuffed Bell Peppers are not just a meal—they're a culinary experience that combines hearty flavors, nutritious ingredients, and a touch of gourmet elegance that will impress even the most discerning food lovers.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 45 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 lb ground veal
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Wash the bell peppers thoroughly. Cut the tops off and remove the seeds and membranes, creating hollow pepper cups for stuffing.
- In a large skillet, sauté the chopped onions until they become translucent and slightly golden, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add the ground veal to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is fully browned and no pink remains, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Season the meat mixture with salt and pepper. Stir in the cooked rice and mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Spoon the veal and rice mixture carefully into each prepared bell pepper, filling them to the top.
- Pour the marinara sauce over and around the stuffed peppers in the baking dish, ensuring they are well-coated.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and place in the preheated oven.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through.
- Remove the foil during the last 5-10 minutes of cooking to allow the tops to slightly brown and the sauce to thicken.
- Let the stuffed peppers rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Choose bell peppers that are firm, symmetrical, and have a flat bottom to ensure they stand upright while baking.
- For extra flavor, consider adding some grated Parmesan or pecorino cheese to the veal and rice mixture before stuffing.
- If ground veal is hard to find, you can substitute with a mix of ground beef and pork for a similar texture and flavor profile.
- Make sure to drain any excess fat after cooking the veal to prevent the stuffed peppers from becoming greasy.
- For a lighter version, you can use brown rice instead of white rice to increase the nutritional value.
- Allow the peppers to rest after baking—this helps the filling set and makes them easier to serve without falling apart.
- Experiment with different marinara sauces or even create a homemade version to personalize the dish to your taste.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 313kcal
Carbohydrates: 26g
Protein: 25g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 70mg
