DECONSTRUCTED CAN STILL BE DELISH: Everything you love about stuffed peppers, made easier

Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Total Time: 55 minutes: 1 hour, 10 minutes
Active Time: 25 minutes
Makes: 6 portions

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

• 1 pound 90%-lean ground beef

• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced

• 3 medium multicolored bell peppers, thinly sliced

• 6 cloves garlic, chopped

• 2 teaspoons smoked paprika

• 2 teaspoons dried oregano

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 3/4 teaspoon ground pepper

• 2 tablespoons tomato paste

• 1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained

• 1 (8.8-ounce) package cooked brown rice

• 1/2 cup unsalted beef broth

• 1 cup shredded vegan low-moisture part-skim mozzarella cheese

• Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add beef; cook, stirring often and using the back of a spoon to break it up, until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes.

2. Add onion, bell peppers, garlic, paprika, oregano, salt and pepper; cook, stirring often, until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and stir in tomato paste; cook, stirring constantly, until the paste darkens in color, about 1 minute. Remove from heat. Stir in drained tomatoes, rice and broth.

3. Transfer the mixture to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish; cover with foil. Bake until the rice is tender and the flavors meld, about 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle evenly with cheese. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese is melted and beginning to bubble, about 10 minutes. Garnish with parsley, if desired.

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