Stuffed Bell Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers (any color)

• 1 lb. lean (at least 80%) ground beef

• 2 tablespoons chopped onion

• 1 cup cooked rice

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped

• 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce or pasta sauce

• 3/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1.  Cut thin slice from stem end of each bell pepper to remove top of pepper. Remove seeds and membranes; rinse peppers. If necessary, cut thin slice from bottom of each pepper so they stand up straight. Chop the pepper slices left over from the pepper tops.

2. In 4-quart Dutch oven, add enough water to cover peppers. Heat to boiling; add peppers. Cook about 2 minutes; drain.

3. In 10-inch skillet, cook beef and onion and chopped pepper tops over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is brown; drain. Stir in rice, salt, garlic and 1 cup of the tomato sauce; cook until hot.

4. Stuff peppers with beef mixture. Stand peppers upright in ungreased 8-inch square glass baking dish. Pour remaining tomato sauce over peppers.

5. Cover tightly with foil. Bake 10 minutes. Uncover and bake about 15 minutes longer or until peppers are tender. Sprinkle with cheese.