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–+ servings
Italian stuffed peppers easy summer recipe

Italian Stuffed Peppers

Enjoy the authentic flavors of Italy with the delicious Italian stuffed peppers recipe. This dish will bring the Mediterranean flavor to your plate, offering a mouth-watering combination of ingredients and flavors that will teleport you directly to the heart of Italian cuisine.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Choose Serving Size 3 servings

Ingredients 

  • 3 red bell peppers cleaned of seeds and cut in half lengthwise

Rice filing:

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • ½ cup Arborio rice
  • ½ white onion chopped
  • 2 cloves of garlic chopped
  • 1 cup fresh baby spinach
  • ½ teaspoon of salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • ½ cup pesto
  • ½ teaspoon grated lemon peel

For the topping:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
  • 1 cup fresh mozzarella
  • 10 fresh basil leaves chopped
  • ¼ cup pine nuts

Instructions

  • In a large pan, over medium heat, add oil. When the oil is hot, add the rice and saute for 30 seconds, add the onion and garlic and saute together with the rice for 1-2 minutes, then add 1 cup of hot water, salt and pepper and continue to cook, stirring from time to time.
  • When the rice is al dente, turn off the heat.
  • Add the fresh spinach, mix and cover the pan with a lid. Let the spinach soften in steam for about five minutes.
  • Remove the lid and add pesto and grated lemon peel. Stir well.
  • Heat the oven to 200C (390F).
  • Fill the pepper halves with the rice mixture, cover each pepper with a layer of cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil and place on an oven tray. Bake in the oven.
  • Cook for 20-30 minutes or until the cheese is lightly browned. Sprinkle the peppers with pine buds and fresh basil.