Mini Meatloaf Pepper Rings

INGREDIENTS

4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)

2 lbs. lean ground beef

1½ tsp creole seasoning

¼ cup Italian bread crumbs

1 egg

¼ cup shredded Parmesan

A pinch crushed red pepper flakes

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp fresh chopped parsley

1 cup shredded Italian cheese blend

1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

INSTRUCTIONS

Prepare peppers by slicing off a little of the top and bottom of each pepper. Do not discard these. Cut out ribs and seeds. Slice into 3 thick rings and place on a sheet pan lined with parchment for easy clean up. Dice up remaining parts of peppers to use in meat mixture.

Prepare meatloaf mix: Mix ground beef with seasoning, bread crumbs, egg, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, garlic, and remaining diced peppers until combined.

Stuff each pepper with meat mixture leaving a dome of the mixture on top of each pepper.

Heat olive oil in a large oven-safe pot over medium-high heat. (If you do not have an oven-safe pot, you will just transfer them into a casserole dish to bake later).

Brown each stuffed pepper ring for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side. You may need to do this in 2 batches depending on the size of your pot.

Once, browned on each side, pour crushed tomatoes over the stuffed pepper rings. (Transfer to casserole dish before topping with crushed tomatoes if you do not have an oven-safe pot.

Bake at 350 degrees for 35 to 45 minutes. Top with cheese and bake for 5 more minutes. Top with fresh parsley and serve.