"Unstuffed Pepper Bake"

We are NOT Sweet Pepper lovers, but they are SO Good for you, plus recently we have had an abundance of them.

One day at Krogers they had samples of this recipe.  I did not expect to like it, but Sean & I tried it.

When we exclaimed how Yummy it was, the other 2 tried it & liked it too.

Now, this is a Recipe I often use.

SO DELICIOUS & non-pepper people like it (at least in our household :-)

When I made it this week I had to do some changes, due to lack of what they called for & LOVED it.

Instead of canned tomatoes, I used fresh.

I use about 1 1/2 c. of chopped peppers, various colors

I took a lg. can of Whole Plum Tomatoes (Because it was in my pantry) AND put it in the processor with basil, parsley, salt & pepper and Olive oil, Used this in place of canned tomato sauce.

I also use Jasmine Rice, so I cook it ahead of time with the Worcestershire, Italian seasonings, salt, pepper, a few of the tomatoes & peppers.

Also, didn't have enough Sharp Cheddar, so I put some provolone/mozzarella mix on top too.

Then, once mixed, you just have to bake until cheese is melted basically.

With the above changes, it tasted so much fresher & Absolutely Delicious!!!!

Loved the fresh tomatoes & "homemade" tomato sauce especially.

Sounds like a lot of work, but once you get your routine down, it doesn't take anytime to whip up.

Especially if you have something electric to just "Whiz" your veggies in to chop them fine.

I always double the recipe, because it is even better the next day for lunch!

Unstuffed Pepper Bake

Unstuffed Pepper Bake Prep Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes Serves: 4-6 Ingredients:- 1 lb Kroger® Ground Beef - 1/3 c Kroger® Frozen Diced Onion - 1 1/2 c. Chopped Green Peppers - 2 Garlic Cloves, minced or ½ tsp Garlic Powder - ½ tsp Kroger® salt - ¼ tsp Kroger® Ground Black Pepper - 14.5 oz can Kroger® Petite Diced Tomatoes, drained - 1 cup Kroger® Instant White or Brown Rice - 1 tsp Kroger® Worcestershire Sauce - 1 tsp Kroger® Italian Seasoning (Oregano, Basil, Parsley, opt. Chives) - 8 oz pkg Kroger® Finely Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese, divided - 15 oz can Kroger® Tomato Sauce Directions:1) Preheat oven to 375°F. 2) In a large sauce pan, sauté ground beef and onions, green peppers and garlic for 5 minutes, or until beef is browned. Drain off excess fat, and season with salt and pepper. 3) Stir in the tomatoes, rice, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Remove from heat, and stir in 1 cup cheese. 4) Spread mixture evenly into a 13x9 baking dish and top with tomato sauce and remaining cheese. 5) Bake for 20 minutes, until heated through and cheese is melted and bubbly.