Lasagna Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients

4 bell peppers, various colors

1 onion, chopped

4 cloves garlic, chopped

½ lb ground beef (225 g)

½ lb sweet italian sausage(225 g)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon pepper

28 oz diced tomato, 1 can(795 g)

28 oz tomato sauce, 1 can(795 g)

15 oz whole milk ricotta cheese (425 g)

1 cup grated parmesan cheese (110 g)

½ cup fresh basil, chopped (20 g)

1 egg

4 lasagna noodles, cooked and quartered

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (100 g)

2 tablespoons oil

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).

Cut the top off of each pepper and remove the seeds. Transfer to a square baking dish, and Bake for 20 minutes, to soften.

Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pot, or dutch oven, over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic, cook until softened.

Add the ground beef, sausage, salt, and pepper. Cook until the meat has browned on all sides.

Add the diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Bring the mixture to a light simmer. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, remove from heat and set aside.

In a small bowl, combine ricotta, parmesan, basil, and egg. Mix together with a fork, set aside.

Remove the peppers from the oven, drain any excess water that accumulated inside.
Cut the lasagna noodles into quarters and set aside.

Assemble the lasagna in each pepper. Alternate 2 tablespoons of sauce, 1 lasagna noodle, 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture, and 1 lasagna noodle until the peppers are full.

Top with mozzarella cheese, and bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, until the cheese is melted and slightly browned.

Rest for 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 4 SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different types of bell peppers?

Yes, you can use various colors of bell peppers to add visual appeal and flavor variation to the dish. Feel free to use your preferred combination of bell peppers.

Can I use different types of cheese?

Yes, you can customize the cheese selection based on your preferences. While the recipe calls for ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheese, you can experiment with other types like cheddar, provolone, or a blend of cheeses to add different flavors to the dish.

Can I substitute the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage?

Certainly! If you prefer, you can substitute the meats with alternatives like ground turkey, chicken, or vegetarian meat substitutes to suit your dietary preferences or restrictions.

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Absolutely! You can easily make this recipe vegetarian by omitting the ground beef and sweet Italian sausage.

Instead, you can substitute them with vegetarian alternatives like plant-based ground meat or crumbled tofu seasoned with Italian herbs and spices.

Can I add additional vegetables to the filling?

Certainly! If you want to add more vegetables to the filling, you can incorporate ingredients like spinach, mushrooms, diced zucchini, or bell pepper scraps.

Sauté them along with the onion and garlic in Step 3 to enhance the nutritional value and taste of the stuffed peppers.

Can I prepare the recipe in advance?

Yes, you can prepare the recipe partially in advance.

You can pre-cook the bell peppers, prepare the meat sauce, and mix the cheese filling ahead of time. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator.

When you’re ready to serve, assemble the stuffed peppers and bake them according to the recipe instructions.

Can I freeze the leftovers?

Absolutely! Lasagna Stuffed Bell Peppers can be frozen for future meals. After baking, let the stuffed peppers cool completely, then wrap each pepper tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil.

Place them in a freezer-safe container or bag, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months. To reheat, thaw the stuffed peppers in the refrigerator overnight and warm them in the oven until heated through.

Can I customize the recipe with additional ingredients?

Absolutely! This recipe serves as a base, and you can customize it to your liking. You can add other vegetables like spinach, mushrooms, or zucchini to the filling or incorporate different herbs and spices to enhance the flavors. Feel free to experiment and make it your own!