SPINACH & MEAT STUFFED PEPPERS

SPINACH & MEAT STUFFED PEPPERS image

Categories Beef Bake

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 14

15 oz tomato sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
3 garlic cloves, minced & divided
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 lb lean ground beef
1/2 lb ground pork
6 oz bag spinach, stemmed
3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, divided
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
4 medium sized bell peppers
Kosher salt
Pepper

Steps:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. Cook tomato sauce, parsley, red pepper flakes & 1/3 of garlic in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until boiling. Reduce heat; simmer 10-15 minutes. Set aside. 3. Cook onion & remaining minced garlic in 1 tbl hot oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring often, 2-3 minutes until onions begin to turn golden. Add ground meats; cook stirring often, 6-8 minutes or until all pink is gone. Drain well; set aside. 4. Wipe skillet clean with a paper towel. Cook spinach in 1 tbl hot oil over low heat until wilted. Remove from heat. Stir 1/2 cup cheese, basil & reserved tomato & meat mixtures into spinach. 5. Cut peppers in half lengthwise; discard seeds & membranes.Drizzle remaining olive oil evenly inside peppers; season with salt & pepper as desired. Spoon meat mixture evenly into peppers & place in a lightly greased 8 inch square baking dish. 6. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle remaining cheese evenly over peppers. Bake for 10 minutes. Remove from oven. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.