Imagine a mouthwatering Italian classic that goes from kitchen to table in just 25 minutes, without ever touching your oven! These Microwave Italian Stuffed Peppers are about to become your new secret weapon for fast, delicious meals that taste like they've been slow-cooked for hours. Packed with savory ground meat, perfectly seasoned rice, and gooey mozzarella, this recipe will have your family begging for seconds and wondering how you created such a restaurant-quality dish in mere minutes.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the bell peppers by washing them thoroughly, then cut off the tops and remove seeds and membranes. Stand peppers upright in a microwave-safe baking dish.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine ground beef or turkey with cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix ingredients thoroughly until well blended.
- Stuff each bell pepper generously with the meat and rice mixture, pressing down gently to pack the filling firmly.
- Pour marinara sauce evenly over and around the stuffed peppers, ensuring some sauce covers the top of each pepper.
- Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper, covering the surface completely.
- Cover the microwave-safe dish with a microwave-safe lid or microwave-safe plastic wrap, leaving a small vent for steam to escape.
- Microwave on high power for 8-10 minutes, or until the meat is fully cooked and the peppers are tender. Internal temperature of meat should reach 160°F (71°C).
- Carefully remove the dish from the microwave using oven mitts, as it will be very hot. Let the peppers rest for 2-3 minutes before serving.
- Garnish with additional fresh herbs like basil or parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Tips
- Choose bell peppers that are firm and have a flat bottom to help them stand upright in your microwave-safe dish.
- For extra flavor, use a mix of ground beef and turkey or try ground Italian sausage.
- Ensure your ground meat is thoroughly cooked by checking it reaches 160°F with a meat thermometer.
- If peppers seem too firm after initial cooking, microwave in additional 1-minute increments.
- Let peppers rest after cooking to allow flavors to meld and prevent burning your mouth.
- For a low-carb version, substitute rice with cauliflower rice.
- Fresh herbs like basil or parsley can elevate the final presentation and add a burst of freshness.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 265kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: mg
