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Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers drizzled with mayo in a baking dish.

Italian Stuffed Peppers {Paleo, Whole30, Keto} With Optional Spicy Italian Mayo

Katie AdamsKatie Adams
Seasoned with a savory spice blend and cooked in a rich tomato sauce, these ground beef stuffed peppers are bursting with Italian flavor.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Baking Time 15 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 9
Calories 291 kcal

Equipment

  • 1 Large skillet
  • 1 Wooden Spoon
  • 1 9x13 baking dish
  • 1 8x8 baking dish
  • 1 Medium bowl
  • 1 Slotted spoon

Ingredients
  

  • 4-5 large bell peppers assorted colors
  • 1½ tablespoon neutral oil
  • 3 pinches salt
  • 1½ tablespoon neutral oil
  • 1½ lbs ground beef I used 85/15
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 3 dashes black pepper
  • 1 medium onion small diced
  • 2 pinches salt
  • 4 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon dried parsley
  • 2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 teaspoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoon oregano crushed with fingers to release oils
  • 1½ teaspoon basil
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ cup tomato paste
  • 1 small zucchini de-seeded and small diced
  • ¾ cup mushrooms (about 5-6 whole mushrooms) small diced
  • 2.5 oz pepperoni diced into small squares
  • 2 large handfuls spinach
  • 1 8 oz can tomato sauce

Optional Creamy Italian Drizzle

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 pinch salt
  • ½ teaspoon Homemade Italian Seasoning*
  • 1½-3 tablespoon hot sauce
  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350℉. Slice bell peppers in half. Place in baking dishes, drizzle with neutral oil and salt peppers in each baking dish with 2 pinches of salt. Place in oven for 15 minutes to soften peppers.
  • Heat neutral oil in a large skillet over MED heat. When very warm add ground beef. Cook, breaking apart with a wooden spoon and stirring occasionally until mostly browned about 5-6 minutes. I like to break down the meat into very small pieces. Remove with a slotted spoon to a bowl to catch any juices.
  • Add diced onion and 2 pinches of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally until onion is softened about 3-5 minutes.
    Onions cooking in a skillet.
  • Add garlic and spice blend: parsley, salt, chili powder, oregano, basil and black pepper. Sauté stirring frequently until spices are fragrant about 30 seconds.
    Onions and spices cooking in a skillet.
  • Add tomato paste. Sauté stirring frequently to toast to a deep red color about 1-2 minutes. Stirring often will help prevent tomato paste from sticking/burning on the bottom of the pan.
  • Add mushrooms and zucchini. Sauté stirring often until vegetables are beginning to soften about 2-3 minutes.
  • Add pepperoni and sauté about 30 seconds. Add ground beef and accumulated juices and spinach. Stir to fully incorporate all ingredients.
  • Turn off burner. Add tomato sauce and stir to combine.
    Ground beef, vegetables, spices and tomato sauce cooking in a large skillet.
  • Fill peppers with meat and vegetable mixture. Bake at 350℉ for 10 minutes.
    Uncooked Italian Stuffed Peppers in a baking dish.
  • Make Creamy Italian Drizzle: In a small bowl mix mayonnaise, salt, Italian seasoning, hot sauce and white wine vinegar together. Cover and refrigerate.
    Ingredients for spicy Italian mayonnaise in a small glass dish.
  • Serve peppers warm with creamy Italian drizzle if desired.

Notes

*Try my Homemade Italian Seasoning, or use you own favorite Italian spice blend!
***The nutritional information is for Italian Stuffed Peppers alone and omits the spicy Italian Mayo. Here is the nutritional information for the mayo:
85 calories
0.2g carbs
0.1g protein
9g fat
1g saturated fat
6g polyunsaturated fat
2g monounsaturated fat
0.02g trans fat
5mg cholesterol
157mg sodim
0.03g fiber
0.1g sugar
2mg calcium
2mg vitamin C

Nutrition

Calories: 291kcalCarbohydrates: 11gProtein: 18gFat: 20gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 59mgSodium: 1188mgPotassium: 693mgFiber: 3gSugar: 6gVitamin A: 3301IUVitamin C: 103mgCalcium: 52mgIron: 3mg
Keyword fall recipes, ground beef recipes, Italian seasoning, oven baked, spinach, zucchini
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