Are you looking for ways to add more color, flavor, and nutrition to your meals? Look no further than bell peppers! These versatile vegetables come in a variety of colors, including red, green, yellow, and orange, and are packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Bell peppers can be used in a variety of dishes, from stuffed peppers and fajitas to soups and stews. In this blog post, we’ll share three simple and delicious bell pepper recipes that are perfect for busy weeknights or weekend gatherings.
These recipes are easy to follow and use ingredients that you can find at any grocery store. So why not add some bell peppers to your next meal and enjoy the many health benefits and flavors of this colorful vegetable?
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 can diced tomatoes
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp dried basil
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional)
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Drain any excess fat.
- Add the onion and garlic to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Stir in the cooked rice, diced tomatoes, dried basil, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. Cook for a few more minutes.
- Spoon the beef and rice mixture into each bell pepper until full.
- Place the stuffed bell peppers in a baking dish and bake for 35-40 minutes.
- Optional: sprinkle shredded cheese on top of the bell peppers during the last 10 minutes of baking.
Bell Pepper and Onion Fajitas
Ingredients:
- 2 bell peppers (any color), sliced
- 1 onion, sliced
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Tortillas
- Toppings: sour cream, salsa, shredded cheese, etc.
Instructions:
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the sliced bell peppers and onions to the skillet and cook until softened.
- Remove the bell peppers and onions from the skillet and set aside.
- Add the sliced chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through.
- Add the chili powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.
- Return the cooked bell peppers and onions to the skillet and stir to combine with the chicken.
- Serve the chicken and vegetable mixture on tortillas with desired toppings.
Roasted Bell Pepper and Tomato Soup
Ingredients:
- 3 bell peppers (any color), seeded and sliced
- 2 tomatoes, quartered
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 cups chicken or vegetable broth
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Place the sliced bell peppers and quartered tomatoes on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil.
- Roast in the oven for 20-25 minutes, until the peppers and tomatoes are softened and slightly browned.
- In a large pot over medium heat, sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic in olive oil until softened.
- Add the roasted peppers and tomatoes to the pot.
- Add the chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for 10-15 minutes.
- Use an immersion blender or transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve hot.
Incorporating bell peppers into your meals is an easy and delicious way to add color and flavor while also providing a range of health benefits. From the stuffed bell peppers to the bell pepper and onion fajitas and roasted bell pepper and tomato soup, these three recipes are versatile, easy to follow, and use simple ingredients.
By trying these recipes, you’ll be able to explore new ways to enjoy bell peppers, and you may even discover some new favorite dishes. So why not give them a try and enjoy the many benefits of this versatile and colorful vegetable?