Unstuffed Peppers

I found a version of this recipe in the Everyday Magazine. It was listed as a 5 ingredient recipe with wild- long grain rice, sausage, red onion, green peppers and mushrooms. While it sounded good, I changed mine up and think mine is better. :) Feel free to change this one up yourself - I have already been thinking of new ideas (ground turkey, ground beef, Ro*tel, etc.) This was a quick and satisfying dinner. Loved it!

1 lb Italian sausage links (casings removed)
2 green peppers; chopped
1 white onion; chopped
1 garlic clove; minced
1 can diced tomatoes
2 cups brown rice (with 1 3/4 cup water) - Make according to package directions
Salt & pepper
Olive oil

In a large skillet, add a dash of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add ground sausage and break up with a wooden spoon until broke up and cooked through.
Drain the sausage and set aside.
In the same pan, add another turn of olive oil and heat over medium-high. Add peppers, onions and garlic. Season with salt and pepper and cook until softened. Add tomatoes and return sausage to the pan. Lower heat to medium stir for a few minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare the rice.
Transfer the cooked rice to the skillet and mix through.

We topped ours off with a little Parmesan cheese.

Stuffed Peppers

2-3 medium bell peppers
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon basil
1-15 ounce can tomato sauce
1 pound lean ground beef
1 small onion, chopped
2 cups brown rice, cooked per directions on package
1/2 cup grated cheddar cheese

Cut peppers in half lengthwise. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, drop the peppers in and boil for 5-6 minutes. In a small bowl, mix tomato sauce, basil and sugar and set aside. Brown meat and onion in a large skillet; drain. Stir in 1/2 the tomato sauce, 1/2 cup of the rice and the salt. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes; stir in cheese. Spoon meat mixture into peppers and place into skillet. Pour remaining tomato sauce around peppers; cover and simmer. Top with additional cheese, if desired. Serve on top of remaining rice.

Chad's rating: 9.5/10
Amy's rating: 7.5/10 - in all honesty, I wasn't feeling too well - so I think that is why my score was low. I will make these again in the future though!

Recipe adapted from Sing for your Supper Blog.

Crumbled Sausage and Peppers

Crumbled Sausage with Peppers and Onions

1 package Italian sausage

2 green peppers, chopped

1 onion, chopped

Salt, pepper, red pepper flakes

Olive oil

Honey wheat buns

Heat oil in pan over medium heat. Add onions and peppers.

Heat another pan over medium-high heat. Cut casings off sausage and crumble into pan. Breaking up meat as it cooks. Continue cooking till browned; drain.

Add cooked sausage to onions and peppers. Season with salt, pepper and crushed red pepper flakes.

Spoon into honey wheat buns. Top with mustard.

Chad's rating: 9/10

Amy's rating: 9/10

Couscous Stuffed Peppers

Couscous Stuffed Peppers

Red Bell Peppers (however many you want)

1 box Parmesan couscous

1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 package pine nuts, toasted

1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/3 cup parsley, chopped

1 container cherry tomatoes, diced

Slice the top off the peppers and clean out the seeds and veins. Simmer the peppers in a pot of boiling water for 7 -1o minutes until tender (not mushy.) Meanwhile, prepare the couscous according to the package directions. Toss the prepared couscous with chickpeas, pine nuts, feta cheese, parsley and tomatoes. Fill cooked peppers with mixture.

Chad's rating: 9/10

Amy's rating: 10/10

Pasta Stuffed Peppers

Pasta Stuffed Peppers

Green or Red Peppers; tops, seeds and veins removed

1 lb pasta

1 28 oz can Hunts diced tomatoes

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 white onion, chopped

1 zucchini, diced

1 lb ground beef

Olive oil

Salt and pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

Parmesan Cheese

Brown meat in skillet, drain and set aside. Bowl water in large pot for pasta and in medium pot for peppers. Meanwhile, heat olive oil in large skillet. Saute garlic and onions until softened. Add zucchini. Cook until softened. Add tomatoes, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat. Add pasta to salted water; cook and drain. Add peppers to boiling water and cook for 7-10 minutes; drain. Add cooked meat to tomato sauce. Season with red pepper flakes. Add drained pasta to tomato sauce. Fill in peppers and top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Chad's rating: 9/10

Amy's rating: 9/10