Stuffed Pepper Soup

Preparation Time: 15 minutes Cooking Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Recipe Intensity: Easy

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef or turkey
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bell peppers, diced (any color you prefer)
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
• 4 cups beef or chicken broth
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
• Chopped fresh parsley or basil, for garnish
• Shredded cheese, for topping (optional)

Instructions:

1. In a large soup pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef or turkey, breaking it up with a spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through. Drain any excess fat if needed.
2. Add the chopped onion to the pot and sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add the minced garlic and diced bell peppers, and cook for another 2-3 minutes until the peppers begin to soften.
3. Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, and beef or chicken broth. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
4. Add the cooked rice and Italian seasoning to the soup. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and add a pinch of red pepper flakes if you like some heat.
5. Let the Stuffed Pepper Soup simmer gently for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. If the soup is too thick for your liking, you can add more broth or water to reach your desired consistency.
7. Ladle the hot soup into serving bowls. Garnish each bowl with chopped fresh parsley or basil.
8. Optional: Top each bowl of soup with a sprinkle of shredded cheese for added flavor and creaminess.
9. Serve the Stuffed Pepper Soup hot and enjoy this comforting and flavorful dish!

Note: You can customize this soup by adding other vegetables such as diced carrots or celery if desired. Feel free to use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice for a healthier option. This soup also freezes well, so you can make a double batch and freeze individual portions for future meals.