Orzo-Stuffed Baked Peppers

Number of servings : 6 Prep time: Cooking time: 1 hour Type of meal : | Side Dishes | Side

Number of servings : 6

Prep time:

Cooking time: 1 hour

Type of meal : | Side Dishes | Side Dishes

Special diet :

Ingredients

  • 6 large bell peppers (red, yellow, orange or green)
  • 1 cup (250 mL) uncooked orzo pasta
  • 1 lb (500 g) pork sausage, casings removed
  • ½ cup (125 mL) chopped red onion
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) minced garlic
  • 2 cups (500 mL) tomato sauce, marinara sauce or spaghetti sauce
  • 1 medium tomato, chopped
  • ¼ cup (50 mL) sliced fresh basil 
  • ½ tsp (2 mL) crushed red pepper flakes 
  • ½ cup (125 mL) shredded mozzarella cheese
  • ¼ cup (50 mL) grated Parmesan cheese 

Directions

 

1. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In large pot of boiling salted water, cook peppers for 5 minutes. Using tongs, remove from pot and drain. In same pot of boiling water, cook orzo according to package directions until tender but firm, about 7 minutes. Drain. 

2. Meanwhile, in skillet over medium heat, cook sausage and onion, breaking sausage up with spoon, until meat is crumbled and no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.

3. Stir orzo, tomato sauce, tomato, basil and pepper flakes into meat mixture until combined; spoon into peppers. Arrange snugly in greased 11- x 7-inch (2 L) baking dish. Cover with foil and bake in preheated 350°F (180°C) oven for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 15 minutes longer or until tops are golden and bubbly. 

 

Nutritional information: