Ingredients:

  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium zucchini, diced
  • 1 cup diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp dried Italian herbs
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 large bell peppers
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. Prepare the bell peppers by cutting the tops off and removing seeds. Place them upright in a baking dish.
  3. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil, and sauté the onions until translucent (about 5 minutes).
  4. Add minced garlic and diced zucchini; cook until softened (about 3 minutes).
  5. Stir in the ground meat, breaking it apart until browned and cooked through (about 8-10 minutes).
  6. Add diced tomatoes, Italian herbs, paprika, salt, and pepper; mix well and simmer for 5 minutes.
  7. Stir in half of the shredded cheese into the filling mixture.
  8. Spoon the filling into the prepared bell peppers, pressing down gently to pack.
  9. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of each pepper.
  10. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake an additional 5-10 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  11. Let cool slightly and garnish with fresh parsley before serving.