ORZO-STUFFED PEPPERS

Orzo-Stuffed Peppers image

Packed with orzo, Italian sausage and summer flavors, these stuffed peppers make a fun, fast-fixing meal. Get colorful with green, orange, red or yellow peppers. Use more or less pepper flakes to adjust the level of heat to your liking! -Kelly Evans, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 large green peppers
1 cup uncooked orzo pasta
1 pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2 cup chopped red onion
2 teaspoons minced garlic
2 cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
1 medium tomato, chopped
1/4 cup minced fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil
2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Steps:

Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In a Dutch oven, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside., Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook sausage and onion over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Drain., Drain orzo; stir into meat mixture. Add the marinara sauce, tomato, basil, rosemary and pepper flakes. Spoon into peppers. , Place in a greased 11x7-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 523 calories, Fat 18g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 51mg cholesterol, Sodium 836mg sodium, Carbohydrate 65g carbohydrate (19g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 25g protein.