Hearty Pepper Soup

Transform bell peppers into a cozy, filling soup. You'll find all the tasty bits from traditional stuffed peppers - seasoned beef, juicy tomatoes, and fluffy rice - but now as a simple soup that makes your home smell incredible.

Benefits of This Hearty Soup

This tasty dish comes together in under 60 minutes and captures the exact flavors of actual stuffed peppers. It's ideal for chilly evenings when you need something substantial. Leave out the rice for fewer carbs, or include it for a complete meal. It's wonderful for family gatherings or reheating later. Grab some bread to dunk and dinner's done.

Required Ingredients

• Lean Ground Beef: Lower fat variety works best
• Olive Oil: Needed for sautéing vegetables
• Salt and Pepper: Basic seasoning will do
• Yellow Onion: A single small one, diced finely
• Bell Peppers: Green and red varieties, chopped into pieces
• Garlic: Minced fresh cloves
• Diced Tomatoes: Two cans, finely chopped type
• Tomato Sauce: Regular unflavored version
• Beef Broth: Reduced sodium preferred
• Parsley: Either fresh or dried types work
• Basil: Standard dried version
• Oregano: Common dried variety
• Rice: Choose white or brown varieties
• Cheese: Grated cheddar or mozzarella for garnish

Cooking Instructions

Brown the beef:

Warm oil in a large pot. Toss in ground beef with a bit of salt and pepper. Crumble while browning until completely cooked. Drain off fat. Move meat to paper towels.

Prepare vegetables:

Add more oil to your pot. Drop in diced onions and peppers. Cook about 3 minutes until they soften. Toss in garlic, cook another 30 seconds.

Create soup mixture:

Add your tomatoes, sauce, and broth. Stir in seasonings and return the cooked beef. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. Bring everything to a simmer, then lower heat. Cover and let cook for 30 minutes, occasionally stirring.

Prepare rice separately:

While your soup bubbles away, cook rice according to package instructions. Once soup finishes, mix in whatever amount of rice you prefer.

Finish the dish:

Ladle hot soup into bowls. Sprinkle cheese on top if desired. Add a little fresh parsley as garnish.

Taste test:

Sample a spoonful. Adjust seasoning if needed.

Ready to enjoy:

Serve alongside bread if you want. Ensure soup is steaming hot.

Why Folks Adore This Dish

This soup takes way less effort than traditional stuffed peppers but delivers the same amazing taste. It packs plenty of goodness - protein, vegetables, and grains - that satisfies hunger. Skip the rice if you're cutting carbs. The best thing? It's quick to make and fills your home with wonderful aromas.

Ideal Cold-Weather Comfort

During frosty days, nothing beats this thick soup. It feels substantial like a stew and really warms you inside. Doesn't require hours of simmering like typical winter soups. Just add some crusty bread and you've got the ultimate cold-day meal.

Wonderful for Gatherings

This soup connects family and friends. Whip up a large batch for Sunday dinner or deliver some to someone feeling under the weather. It moves easily and stays warm in containers. Everybody wants more and asks how you made it.

Customize to Your Liking

Get creative each time you cook this. Swap in chicken stock instead of beef. Mix in hot Italian sausage. Add some chopped carrots for extra veggies. Use quinoa as your grain alternative. Adjust it to match what your family enjoys most.

Serving Suggestions

No need for fancy sides - this soup stands alone pretty well. Pair with fresh crusty bread or dinner rolls. Want something more? Add a light side salad. Remember to offer shredded cheese for anyone who wants extra richness.

Storing Extra Portions

This soup actually improves after sitting overnight. Store in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. If it thickens too much, just add a splash of broth when reheating. It freezes wonderfully too - just store without rice and add freshly cooked rice when you reheat it.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I prep this early?

Sure! Make the soup in advance, but don’t mix in rice till you heat it later. Keeps the rice from turning mushy. Perfect for busy days—just heat, add rice, and eat fresh!

→ Best rice to use?

Go for white or brown rice—they hold up well and soak in flavors. Quick-cooking rice works if you’re short on time but turns soft faster. Wild rice’s nutty taste gives a fun twist too.

→ How do I store leftovers?

Keep cooked rice and soup in separate containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Warm the soup first, then mix in the cold rice. It reheats way better this way!

→ Can I freeze it?

You bet – but freeze only the soup without rice for up to 3 months. Use flat freezer bags for neat storage. Add freshly cooked rice after you thaw and reheat. Keeps the peppers bright and tasty!

→ What cheese works best?

Sharp cheddar adds a nice bite, mozzarella gets gooey fun, and parmesan makes a great sprinkle. Add cheese just before eating so it melts perfectly.

Conclusion

Enjoyed this soup? Check out these dishes:

1. Rice with Peppers: Quick and simple.
2. Loaded Beef Stew: Full of hearty veggies.
3. Classic Stuffed Peppers: Old-school favorite.
4. Beefy Stir-Fry with Peppers: Fast and flavorful.
5. Light Brothy Beef Soup: Healthy and clean.