Prepare to transport your taste buds to the sun-drenched islands of Greece with this mouthwatering Lamb Stuffed Peppers recipe that promises to revolutionize your dinner routine! Imagine tender bell peppers bursting with succulent ground lamb, aromatic herbs, and perfectly seasoned rice – a dish that's not just a meal, but a journey through authentic Greek flavors that will make your family beg for seconds.
Prep Time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 40 mins
Total Time: 1 hrs
Cuisine: Greek
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 lb ground lamb
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Feta cheese for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
- Wash the bell peppers and carefully cut off the tops. Remove seeds and membranes, creating hollow pepper vessels for stuffing.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Sauté chopped onions until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
- Add ground lamb to the skillet, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Cook until the meat is browned and no longer pink, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Stir in cooked rice, diced tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly and let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Carefully stuff each bell pepper with the lamb and rice mixture, pressing down gently to fill completely.
- Place stuffed peppers in the prepared baking dish. If needed, trim the bottom of peppers to help them stand upright.
- Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 35-40 minutes, until peppers are tender.
- Remove foil during the last 10 minutes of cooking to allow the tops to lightly brown.
- Remove from oven and sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the top of each pepper.
- Let rest for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or additional oregano if desired.
Tips
- Choose bell peppers that are firm and have a flat bottom to ensure they stand upright while baking.
- For extra flavor, toast your rice with a bit of olive oil before mixing with the lamb to enhance its nutty undertones.
- Use fresh herbs like parsley or mint as a garnish to add a bright, fresh element to the dish.
- If you prefer a saucier version, add a bit of tomato sauce or chicken broth to the baking dish before covering with foil.
- For a lighter option, you can substitute ground lamb with ground turkey or chicken while maintaining the Greek seasoning profile.
- Ensure your lamb is fully browned and crumbly to prevent a greasy texture in the final dish.
- Let the stuffed peppers rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to allow the flavors to settle and make serving easier.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 420kcal
Carbohydrates: 25g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 9g
Cholesterol: 95mg
