Stuffedpepperswithtortellini Recipes

THE BEST STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• If your peppers don't sit upright on your cutting board, trim about 1/8-inch off the bottoms to even them out so they can stand without falling over. Cut the top off each pepper about 1/2-inch down. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the remaining flesh from the tops. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membranes as you can. Place the peppers in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1/2 cup water. Cover with plastic wrap and microwave on high power for 12 minutes. Carefully uncover and let them sit until ready to assemble.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Spread the beef in an even layer and cook undisturbed until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Toss and continue to cook, breaking up any clumps with the back of a spoon and scraping up any browned bits from the pan until the meat is lightly browned all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer the browned meat to a large bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Reduce the heat to medium. Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and add the reserved chopped peppers, onions, garlic, thyme, 4 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender but not browned, 10 to 12 minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook, stirring occasionally, until falling apart and much of the liquid has evaporated, about 7 minutes.
• Stir in the tomato paste and cook, stirring constantly until brick red colored, about 1 minute. Stir in the wine and cook until the mixture is reduced, very thick and no smell of alcohol remains, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Transfer to the bowl with the beef. Stir in the rice until completely combined. (The mixture will be wet.) Season with salt and pepper.
• Arrange a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F.
• Place the peppers cut-side up in a 13-by-9-inch baking dish. Spoon the filling into the peppers, gently pressing it in with the back of a spoon. Be careful not to overstuff and split the sides of the peppers. Bake for 15 minutes. Then top with the cheese and continue baking until the filling is heated through and the cheese is browned in spots, 10 to 12 minutes.

STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove core, seeds and ribs using a paring knife. Arrange the peppers, cut-sides up, in a 9-by-13-inch pan or other baking dish in which they fit snugly.
• In a large (12-inch) skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Add the fennel and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the garlic, oregano and red-pepper flakes, and cook until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beef and cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, for 3 to 5 minutes, until no longer pink.
• Add 1/2 cup wine, increase the heat to medium-high and cook, scraping the bottom of the pan, until the liquid in the pan is reduced by about half.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and stir in the rice, Parmesan and parsley, if using. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Divide the mixture among the peppers. Pour the remaining 1/4 cup wine into the bottom of the dish, wrap tightly with foil and bake for 35 to 40 minutes, until a paring knife easily pierces the peppers. Remove the foil and spoon any juices that have accumulated in the bottom of the pan onto the peppers. Sprinkle the mozzarella evenly onto the peppers and bake another 10 to 15 minutes, until the mozzarella is melted and beginning to brown.
• Allow the peppers to cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with parsley, if using, and serve hot.

ITALIAN STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds; set aside. In a large bowl, combine the beef, mozzarella cheese, rice, onion, garlic, parsley, salt and pepper; spoon into peppers. Transfer to an oval 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker. Pour tomatoes over peppers; pour broth around the sides., Cover and cook on low for 4-5 hours or until a thermometer reaches 160° and peppers are tender. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and additional parsley.

MEDITERRANEAN STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425°F. Line 15x10x1-inch pan with cooking parchment paper. Cut each bell pepper in half vertically, leaving stem intact; remove seeds and membranes. In 5- to 6-quart Dutch oven, heat 3 quarts water to boiling. Add bell peppers to boiling water, making sure water covers peppers. Cook 2 minutes; drain. Place peppers cut side up in pan.
• In 10-inch nonstick skillet, cook turkey, garlic, Italian seasoning, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper. Cook over medium-high heat 5 to 7 minutes, breaking up turkey, until turkey is no longer pink; drain.
• Transfer turkey mixture to medium bowl; stir in pasta sauce, chick peas and artichoke hearts. Stir in mozzarella cheese and 1/2 cup of the feta cheese.
• Divide turkey mixture evenly among bell peppers in pan (peppers will be full). Spray one side of foil with cooking spray; cover with foil, sprayed side down. Bake 32 to 37 minutes or until bell peppers are tender and filling is hot.
• In small bowl, mix tomatoes, basil and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt. Top cooked bell peppers with tomato mixture and remaining 1/4 cup feta cheese before serving.

PASTA STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta in the boiling water for 1 to 2 minutes less than the package instructions. Drain and rinse under cold water, then set aside.
• Cut the tops off the peppers. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the pepper flesh from the tops and set aside. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membrane as you can. Place the peppers upright in a baking dish just large enough to accommodate them.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the garlic, onion and diced pepper tops. Cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the Italian sausage, crumbling it as you go, and stir until it is cooked and nicely browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Stir in the marinara sauce and black pepper, then remove the skillet from the heat. Fold in the ricotta, half of the shredded mozzarella and the reserved pasta. Stir until well combined. Divide the mixture among the prepared peppers. Top the peppers with the remaining mozzarella and drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Add 1/2 cup water to the bottom of the baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake until the peppers are soft and the cheese is bubbly, another 15 minutes.
• Serve garnished with fresh basil.

PESTO PEPPER TORTELLINI

Steps:

• Prepare tortellini according to package directions.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, saute red pepper and garlic in butter or margarine until pepper is crisp and tender. Stir in cream and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until slightly thickened. Add walnuts, basil and onion and heat through.
• Drain tortellini, add to sauce and toss to coat. Serve with your favorite garnish.

STUFFED PEPPERS WITH TORTELLINI

Steps:

• Cook the 1/2 cup tortellini according to the package directions, leaving them slightly under done.
• In a large bowl mix together all the ingredients for the peppers, except the peppers. Adjust seaoning to your taste.
• Cut the very tops off the peppers and remove the seeds and pith from the insides. You may need to trim a very small amout of the bottom to help them stand up on their own.
• Stuff the peppers with the filling, packing it in and mounding it on top.
• Bake in a 350 degree oven, I used a loaf pan for mine.
• For crisp peppers bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
• For a more tender pepper bake covered for 45 minutes, uncover and bake for 20 more minutes.
• When the peppers for almost done prepare the 1 1/2 cups tortellini according to package directions. Drain and stir in the remaining ingredients.
• Serve the pepper in the center of plate surrounded by the tortellini.