Healthy Living & Eating On A Budget: Stuffed Bell Peppers

           Stuffed Bell Peppers

Hays County Food Bank knows that living & eating healthy has been portrayed as unaffordable for families on a budget.

HCFB would like to help you and your family know it doesn’t have to be expensive by giving you recipes that are healthy, great tasting and that won’t blow your budget.

You can find other budget friendly recipes from Hays County Food Bank here.

Stuffed Bell Peppers

*Recipe courtesy of Taylor Zinke

Cost Per Serving: $2.09

Yields 4 Servings

Ingredients:

• 4 bell peppers
• 1 1/3 cups pre-cooked brown rice (ex: Uncle Ben’s Ready Rice)
• 1 cup chopped vegetables of your choice (Ex: corn, carrots, zucchini, etc…)
• 1 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 2 (8 oz.) jars tomato sauce
• Juice of 2 lemons

Optional toppings: Cheese, salsa, avocado, pico de gallo

Optional lean meat protein to add: ground turkey or shredded chicken breast

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 300ºF.
2. Hollow out bell peppers by cutting off the tops and removing the seeds. Rinse.
3. Cook rice according to instructions on package.
4. Place bell peppers on a baking sheet, and bake for 5 minutes to soften.
5. Place cooked rice in a large pot over low heat. Add chopped vegetables, garlic, and 1 1/2 jars of tomato sauce. Stir continuously until well mixed and vegetables are soft.
6. Add lemon juice and mix well.
7. Spoon the rice mixture into the hollowed out bell peppers, filling to the top.
8. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the bell peppers are soft.
9. During final five minutes, add rest of the tomato sauce and cheese on top. Continue baking.

Add optional toppings and enjoy!