Russian stuffed peppers, or “plovye baklazhany” as they’re known in Russia, are a popular, traditional dish that’s easy to make and packed with flavor. This recipe is a great way to use up any leftover ingredients in your fridge as it’s very versatile.
It’s also a great way to get your kids involved in the cooking process since stuffing bell peppers is a fun and creative activity.
What is russian stuffed peppers?
Russian stuffed peppers are a classic Russian dish where bell peppers are stuffed with a mixture of cooked rice, vegetables, and ground meat. The mixture is then topped with a creamy sauce or melted cheese and baked in the oven.
This dish is often served with a side of sour cream and is a great way to use up any leftovers in your fridge. The flavors of the vegetables, rice, and ground meat are complimented perfectly by the creamy sauce or melted cheese and the crunchy texture of the bell peppers.
This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
Why You’ll Love this russian stuffed peppers recipe?
This Russian stuffed peppers recipe is a delicious, easy-to-make meal that’s sure to be a hit with family and friends. It’s a great way to use up any leftovers in the fridge and it’s a fun and creative activity for kids to get involved in the cooking process.
The flavors of the vegetables, rice, and ground meat are complimented perfectly by the creamy sauce or melted cheese and the crunchy texture of the bell peppers. This dish is also very versatile as you can switch out the vegetables, rice, and ground meat with any other ingredients you have on hand.
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The Ingredients
Diced Sweet Vidalia Onions: These onions provide a sweet and mild flavor, enhancing the overall taste of the dish. They also add moisture and texture to the stuffing mixture.
Finely Shredded Rainbow Carrots: Carrots not only add color but also a subtle sweetness to the dish. They contribute to the texture and provide a balance to the savory flavors.
Robust Marinara Sauce: The marinara sauce serves as the base for the dish, infusing the peppers with a rich, tangy tomato flavor and ensuring the stuffing stays moist during cooking.
Medium Bell Peppers: The peppers act as the vessel for the stuffing, offering a vibrant presentation and a slightly sweet taste once cooked.
Lean Ground Turkey and Premium Ground Beef: These meats provide a blend of flavors and textures, creating a rich and satisfying filling for the peppers.
Cooked Jasmine Rice: Rice helps bind the stuffing together while also adding a soft and fluffy texture to the filling.
Extra-Virgin Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the onions, carrots, and meats, olive oil adds a distinct flavor and helps prevent the stuffing from becoming too dry.
Bay Leaf: This aromatic herb infuses the dish with a subtle earthy flavor, enhancing the overall taste profile.
Pink Himalayan Salt and Tellicherry Black Pepper: These seasonings add depth and balance to the dish, enhancing the flavors of the other ingredients without overpowering them.
Directions
Step 1: Preheat the Oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Step 2: Prepare Vegetables
In a skillet over medium heat, add 4 tablespoons of olive oil.
Add diced onions and shredded carrots to the skillet.
Sauté the onions and carrots for 5-7 minutes until they become tender.
Step 3: Cook the Meat
In the same skillet, add lean ground turkey and premium ground beef.
Cook the meat until it’s browned and fully cooked.
Step 4: Combine Ingredients
Stir in the cooked jasmine rice, 4 cups of marinara sauce, pink Himalayan salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper to the meat mixture.
Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well combined.
Remove the bay leaf.
Step 5: Prepare Peppers
While the meat mixture is simmering, prepare the bell peppers.
Stuff each pepper evenly with the meat and rice mixture.
Step 6: Assemble and Bake
Spread the remaining marinara sauce in a baking dish.
Place the stuffed peppers on top of the sauce in the baking dish.
Drizzle the stuffed peppers with the remaining 6 tablespoons of olive oil.
Cover the baking dish with foil.
Step 7: Bake
Place the covered baking dish in the preheated oven.
Bake for approximately 45-50 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
Step 8: Serve
Once cooked, remove the foil and let the peppers rest for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish the Russian stuffed peppers with fresh herbs if desired.
Step 9: Enjoy
Serve the stuffed peppers hot and savor the delicious flavors!
Notes
– To make this dish vegetarian, you can omit the ground meat and use more cooked vegetables and cooked rice.
– You can also use ground turkey, chicken, or any other type of ground meat for this recipe.
– If you don’t have any tomato sauce on hand, you can use tomato paste or ketchup.
– For extra flavor, you can add a few tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce to the filling.
– If you don’t have any parsley on hand, you can use fresh herbs such as basil, oregano, or thyme.
– If you don’t have any bell peppers, you can use zucchini, eggplant, or any other type of large, hollow vegetable.
– You can also top the stuffed peppers with breadcrumbs for extra crunch.
Storage Tips
Russian stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish and bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, or until heated through.
Nutrition Information
One serving of Russian stuffed peppers contains approximately 300 calories, 15 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbohydrates, and 20 grams of protein.
Serving Suggestions
– Salad: Serve the stuffed peppers with a fresh green salad for a nutritious and delicious meal.
– Mashed Potatoes: Serve the stuffed peppers with a side of mashed potatoes for a comforting and hearty meal.
– Pasta: Serve the stuffed peppers with a side of pasta or noodles for a filling meal.
– Grilled Vegetables: Serve the stuffed peppers with a side of grilled vegetables for a healthy and flavorful meal.
– Baked Potato: Serve the stuffed peppers with a side of baked potatoes for a delicious and comforting meal.
What other substitute can I use in russian stuffed peppers recipe?
– Ground meat: You can use any type of ground meat for this recipe, such as ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken.
– Rice: You can use any type of cooked rice for this recipe, such as white, brown, or wild rice.
– Vegetables: You can use any type of cooked vegetables for this recipe, such as carrots, peas, zucchini, or mushrooms.
– Cheese: You can use any type of cheese for this recipe, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
– Herbs: You can use any type of fresh herbs for this recipe, such as parsley, basil, oregano, or thyme.
– Tomato sauce: If you don’t have any tomato sauce on hand, you can use tomato paste or ketchup.
– Bell peppers: If you don’t have any bell peppers, you can use zucchini, eggplant, or any other type of large, hollow vegetable.
Equipment
- oven
Ingredients
- 4 cups diced sweet Vidalia onions
- 2 cup finely shredded rainbow carrots
- 12 cups robust marinara sauce divided
- 8 vibrant medium bell peppers stemmed and cored
- 1 pound lean ground turkey
- 1 pound premium ground beef
- 1 cup cooked jasmine rice
- 10 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 fragrant bay leaf
- 2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1-Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a skillet over medium heat, warm 4 tablespoons of olive oil. Add diced onions and shredded carrots. Sauté until they turn tender, which usually takes around 5-7 minutes.
- Step 2-In the same skillet, add the lean ground turkey and premium ground beef. Cook until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Step 3-Stir in the cooked jasmine rice, 4 cups of marinara sauce, pink Himalayan salt, and freshly ground Tellicherry black pepper.
- Step 4-Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, ensuring all ingredients are well combined. Remove the bay leaf.
- While the meat mixture is simmering, prepare the bell peppers. Stuff each pepper with the meat and rice mixture evenly.
- Step 5– In a baking dish, spread the remaining marinara sauce. Place the stuffed peppers into the dish on top of the sauce.
- Step 6-Drizzle the stuffed peppers with the remaining 6 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for approximately 45-50 minutes or until the peppers are tender.
- Step 7-Once cooked, remove the foil and let the peppers rest for a few minutes before serving.
- Step 8-Serve the Russian stuffed peppers hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious Russian stuffed
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How long can I store Russian stuffed peppers in the refrigerator?
A1. Russian stuffed peppers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Q2. What type of ground meat can I use in this recipe?
A2. You can use any type of ground meat for this recipe, such as ground beef, pork, turkey, or chicken.
Q3. Can I use any type of cooked vegetables in this recipe?
A3. Yes, you can use any type of cooked vegetables for this recipe, such as carrots, peas, zucchini, or mushrooms.
Q4. Can I use any type of cheese in this recipe?
A4. Yes, you can use any type of cheese for this recipe, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack.
Q5. Can I use any type of fresh herbs in this recipe?
A5. Yes, you can use any type of fresh herbs for this recipe, such as parsley, basil, oregano, or thyme.
Q6. Can I use any type of tomato sauce in this recipe?
A6. Yes, you can use store-bought tomato sauce or make your own.
Q7. Can I use any type of bell peppers in this recipe?
A7. Yes, you can use any type of bell peppers for this recipe, or use zucchini, eggplant, or any other type of large, hollow vegetable.
Conclusion
Russian stuffed peppers are a classic, traditional dish that can be easily made with any type of cheese, tomatoes, fresh herbs, and bell peppers. With a few simple ingredients and steps you can create an amazing meal that will delight your taste buds!