Healthy Recipes: Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed peppers are a great way to get creative and healthy! This recipe incorporates protein, carbs, vegetables, and some dairy. This dish is great for a single person or a crowd. It's easy to make, flavorful, and also fun to eat! If you want to try something different, you should give these stuffed peppers a try!

Ingredients:
4 peppers (your choice as to color. I really like red peppers, so I did red), tops removed and inside cleaned out
1 extra pepper, chopped (this is optional. I just really like peppers, so I wanted to add some more)
1/2 lb ground beef
1 onion
3 large cloves of garlic, minced
1 cup brown rice
4 tbsp parmesan cheese
1 tbsp olive oil
salt/pepper, to taste
other dry spices of your choice

Directions:
1. Cook your rice. Follow the instructions of the bag/box. You can cook this ahead of time if you'd like. It's up to you.

2. Prepare the peppers. Cut off the tops. If you want to make sure they can stand on their own, trimming the bottom, so that they're flat isn't such a bad idea. It would be a waste to simply throw away the stops, so if there are still any viable parts left, chop those up. This is why I suggest another pepper, in case you feel that you want more.

3. Chop the onion. In a pan, heat some olive oil. Put the garlic in the pan first. After a minute or so, add the peppers and onions. To the pan. Let them cook for about 5 minutes, until soft, but not brown. Remove the peppers and onions from the pan.

4. Preheat the oven to 375F and line a baking pan with aluminum foil. I would try to put the peppers in a container that will hold them snug. Make sure to spray with cooking spray.

5. Add more olive oil to the pan and this time add the ground beef. You just want to brown the meat. About 3-5 minutes. Return the peppers/onions to the pan. Add the rice. Mix well and let cook. After a few minutes, add a tablespoon or two of parmesan cheese. Mix well.

6. Spoon the filling into the peppers. Don't be afraid to pack it in there! As the peppers cook, the inner contents may shrink a bit.

7. Let the peppers cook in the oven for about 30 minutes. Take the peppers out and add a bit more parmesan cheese to the top. You can also use any other cheese of your choice. Return the peppers to the oven for an additional 10 - 15 minutes, or until the cheese is nice and golden.

8. Serve peppers hot.

Per serving: 285 calories / 16 g carbs / 16 g fat / 19 g protein / 0.19 g sodium / 2 g sugar

Serves 4

Note: Depending on how much salt is added, calories and sodium content may increase slightly.

Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided was generated using the "My Fitness Pal" app and may not be 100% accurate.

(recipe taken from: http://diaryofastudentgourmet.blogspot.com)