Stuffed Bell Peppers with Pizza-Inspired Filling: A Flavor-Packed Twist on a Classic Dish
Try these stuffed bell peppers with pizza-inspired filling for a delicious and savory twist on a classic meal.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 ouncesbacon, cut into1/2-inch pieces
- 1pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1small onion, diced (optional)
- 2cloves garlic, finely chopped (optional)
- 4 ouncespepperoni, sliced
- 1/4 cupblack olives, sliced (optional)
- 2 cupspizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 4large bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- 2 cupsshredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare the Bacon: Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crispy. Remove and drain on a paper towel-lined plate. Set aside.
- Cook the Sausage and Onion: In the same skillet, cook the Italian sausage with the diced onion (if using), breaking the sausage into small pieces as it browns. Once fully cooked, drain any excess grease.
- Add Garlic: Stir in the chopped garlic and cook for about 1 minute, or until fragrant. Remove the mixture from the heat.
- Cook the Pepperoni (Optional): If desired, cook the pepperoni slices in the skillet briefly to release their flavor. Set aside.
- Combine the Filling: In a mixing bowl, combine the cooked bacon, sausage mixture, pepperoni, olives (if using), and half of the pizza sauce.
- Prepare the Peppers: Spread the remaining pizza sauce across the bottom of a large baking dish. Arrange the halved bell peppers in the dish, cut side up. Fill each pepper with the prepared mixture.
- Bake: Cover the dish with foil and bake in a preheated oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 20 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
- Add Cheese and Finish Baking: Remove the foil, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers, and bake uncovered for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Let the peppers cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your pizza-inspired stuffed peppers!