Description
A creative twist on classic lasagna, these baked lasagna stuffed peppers are halved bell peppers filled with a rich ground beef meat sauce, cooked pasta, and a blend of melted cheeses for a satisfying, flavorful, and low-carb-friendly main course.
Ingredients
Peppers
- 4 large bell peppers, halved and seeded
Meat Sauce
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup marinara sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Cheese and Pasta Mixture
- 1 cup cooked pasta (small shapes)
- 1 cup ricotta cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers evenly.
- Cook the beef: In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until it is fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks for even consistency.
- Add sauce and seasoning: Stir the marinara sauce and Italian seasoning into the browned beef. Adjust salt and black pepper to taste and let the mixture simmer briefly to combine flavors.
- Mix cheese and pasta: In a separate bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cooked small-shaped pasta, and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, mixing well to create a creamy filling.
- Stuff the peppers: Fill each halved and seeded bell pepper with a layer of the meat sauce mixture followed by the ricotta and pasta cheese mixture to fully stuff them.
- Prepare for baking: Arrange the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and all the grated Parmesan cheese evenly on top.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes to heat through and melt the fillings.
- Finish baking uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for another 10 minutes, or until the cheese on top is bubbly and golden.
- Serve: Serve the baked lasagna stuffed peppers warm, optionally alongside a fresh side salad.
Notes
- Use ground turkey instead of beef for a lighter, leaner protein alternative.
- Add chopped fresh spinach to the cheese and pasta mixture for added nutrition and color.
- Serve with a crisp side salad for a well-rounded meal.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian-American
