# Ingredients:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large bell peppers (any color)
02 - 1 small yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meats
04 - 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey for lighter option)
→ Sauce & Seasonings
05 - 1 cup tomato sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons tomato paste
07 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tablespoon brown sugar
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - ½ teaspoon salt
12 - ½ teaspoon black pepper
13 - ¼ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
→ Toppings
14 - ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
# Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold bell peppers upright.
02 - Cut tops off bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Set aside.
03 - In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef until browned, breaking up with spoon, about 5–6 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
04 - Add diced onion and minced garlic to skillet; sauté 2–3 minutes until softened.
05 - Stir in tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if using. Simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.
06 - Arrange bell peppers in prepared baking dish and spoon meat mixture evenly into each pepper.
07 - Cover dish with foil and bake 25 minutes.
08 - Uncover, sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over peppers, and bake uncovered an additional 5–7 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.
09 - Allow to cool a few minutes before serving.
