Beef and Couscous Stuffed Baby Bell Peppers
Prep Time:
40 minutes
Cook Time:
35 minutes
Servings:
Ingredients
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 15 baby sweet bell peppers (about 2-1/2 to 3 inches long, about 1-1/4 pounds)
  • 2/3 cup regular or spicy 100% vegetable juice
  • 1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed, squeezed dry
  • 1/4 cup uncooked whole wheat or regular couscous
  • 2 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup reduced-fat shredded parmesan, monterey jack, white cheddar or italian-blend cheese
Directions
  1. Heat oven to 400°F.
  2. Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise; remove seeds and membranes, but not stem.
  3. Place peppers, cut-sides up, on two shallow-rimmed baking sheets.
  4. Combine ground beef, vegetable juice, spinach, couscous, garlic, oregano, salt and black pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.
  5. Spoon beef mixture evenly into peppers.
  6. Sprinkle with cheese.
  7. Bake, uncovered, in 400°F oven 25 to 30 minutes or until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of pepper registers 160°F and peppers begin to brown.
  8. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.