The bell pepper is an excellent vessel for stuffing meat, rice, and, of course, cheese. It's strong enough to hold its shape in the oven, and the flavor is subtle enough to go well with just about anything. This is our favorite recipe but the customization options are endless. We use shredded Monterey Jack, but feel free to swap in any other melty cheese that you have on hand. You can also use another ground protein (pork, turkey, or chicken) in the place of beef. You could even use Italian sausage! Once you make this iteration we encourage you to make your own and show us the results!
1/2 c. uncooked rice
2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tbsp. tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 lb. ground beef
1 (14.5-oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepper
6 bell peppers, tops and cores removed
1 c. shredded Monterey jack
Freshly chopped parsley, for garnish