Description
Colorful bell peppers embrace a delightful spinach & ricotta stuffed peppers filling, blending Mediterranean charm with wholesome ingredients. Nutritious and elegant, this dish brings comfort and flavor to your dinner table, promising a satisfying culinary experience you’ll savor.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large bell peppers
- 1 cup (237 ml) ricotta cheese
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach, chopped
- 1/2 cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup (56 g) mozzarella cheese, shredded
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 egg
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Cooking and Serving Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) marinara sauce (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the culinary workspace by warming the oven to a precise 375°F (190°C), creating an ideal environment for roasting.
- Transform bell peppers into edible vessels by slicing off their crowns and meticulously extracting seeds and inner membranes, ensuring a clean interior for stuffing.
- Massage the pepper exteriors with a gentle coating of olive oil, positioning them upright in a baking vessel to maintain structural integrity during cooking.
- Craft a luxurious filling by whisking ricotta, finely chopped spinach, grated Parmesan, and half the mozzarella into a harmonious blend, incorporating beaten egg, minced garlic, aromatic Italian seasoning, and a balanced touch of salt and pepper.
- Carefully spoon the verdant mixture into each pepper cavity, pressing softly to eliminate air pockets and create a dense, flavorful core.
- Elegantly crown each stuffed pepper with remaining mozzarella, ensuring a golden, melted cheese topping.
- Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, allowing peppers to steam and soften for 25 minutes in the heated oven.
- Unveil the foil for the final 10-15 minutes, permitting the cheese to transform into a bubbling, bronzed masterpiece and peppers to reach perfect tenderness.
- Present the vibrant, cheese-laden peppers immediately, optionally embellishing with a drizzle of rich marinara sauce for enhanced flavor complexity.
Notes
- Perfectly roast peppers by choosing thick-walled bell peppers that stand upright and have even surfaces for stable stuffing.
- Drain excess moisture from spinach by squeezing it thoroughly with a clean kitchen towel to prevent soggy filling and maintain the right texture.
- Customize the dish for different dietary needs by substituting ricotta with tofu for a vegan version or using low-fat cheese for a lighter option.
- Enhance flavor complexity by adding pine nuts or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling for extra depth and interesting texture variations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 420 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 24 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 14 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg