Gourmet Pepper

Ingredients

• 4 medium to large green or red bell peppers

• 1 1/2 pounds ground beef

• 1 cup chopped onion

• 1 cup cooked rice

• 2 teaspoons Italian Seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon Garlic Powder

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

• 4 cups tomatoes (diced with juice)

• 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Cut off tops of bell peppers. Remove seeds and membranes. Rinse bell peppers. If necessary, cut thin slice from bottom of each pepper so they stand upright. Set aside.

2. Brown ground beef and onion in large skillet on medium-high heat. Drain fat. Add rice, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt and pepper; mix until well blended.

3. Pour 2 cups of tomatoes into bottom of 9-inch square baking dish. Stuff peppers with beef mixture. Place stuffed peppers upright in baking dish. Pour remaining tomatoes over stuffed peppers. Cover tightly with foil.

4. Bake 35 to 45 minutes or until peppers are tender. Remove foil. Sprinkle stuffed peppers with cheese. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted. Cut stuffed peppers in half. Spoon sauce in dish over each half to serve.