# Components:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large bell peppers (any color)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meats
04 - 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for lighter option)
→ Sauce & Seasonings
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1 tsp dried oregano
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/2 tsp black pepper
13 - 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Toppings
14 - 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F and lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold peppers upright.
02 - Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes; set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, about 5–6 minutes, breaking apart with a spoon; drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to skillet; sauté until softened, about 2–3 minutes.
05 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and optional crushed red pepper flakes; simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
06 - Arrange bell peppers upright in prepared baking dish and spoon filling evenly into each pepper.
07 - Cover dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove foil, sprinkle cheese over peppers, and bake uncovered for an additional 5–7 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
09 - Allow stuffed peppers to cool for a few minutes before serving.
