Pork-and-Sausage-Stuffed Peppers

Serves 4

Pan IconWHY THIS RECIPE WORKS: We promote rice-stuffed peppers from side dish to main course by adding plenty of ground pork and sweet Italian sausage to the filling. Microwaving the peppers prior to stuffing gives them a head start, then they simply finish cooking under the broiler. While the peppers are parcooking, the other components come together in a single skillet. Pepper Jack cheese lends a little extra character and heat, but Monterey Jack can be substituted in a pinch. For a flavorful finishing touch, we reserve 1 cup of the cheese to sprinkle on top of the stuffed peppers just before we place them under the broiler. See Quick Prep Tip that follows the recipe.

4

red bell peppers, stems left intact, halved lengthwise, and seeded

3

tablespoons vegetable oil

8

ounces ground pork

4

ounces sweet Italian pork sausage, casings removed

1

onion, chopped fine

3

garlic cloves, minced

1

(8.8-ounce) package Uncle Ben’s Brown Ready Rice

12

ounces pepper Jack cheese, shredded (3 cups)

¼

cup minced fresh parsley

Salt and pepper

1. Adjust oven rack 6 inches from broiler element and heat broiler. Place bell peppers in bowl, cover, and microwave until just tender, 3 to 6 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Add pork and sausage and cook, breaking up meat with wooden spoon, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in rice and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Off heat, stir in 2 cups pepper Jack and parsley, and season with salt and pepper.

3. Pat peppers dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Brush baking sheet with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Place peppers, cut side down, on baking sheet and broil until spotty brown, about 3 minutes. Flip peppers over, fill with pork mixture, then sprinkle with remaining 1 cup pepper Jack. Broil until cheese is spotty brown and melted, 3 to 5 minutes, and serve.