Classic Stuffed Peppers

Okay, okay, I know. Everyone has a stuffed pepper recipe. I've used at least a dozen different ones cooking for myself because I tend to just throw a bunch of leftover about to go bad produce, leftover rice, and some sort of crumbly meat into some peppers. Yum.

But, I thought I'd post a generic, classic recipe. This is one of those recipes that you can add in stuff, take stuff out, substitute beans for meat, add lots of veggies, or pasta. And its super easy if you're not a dedicated know-it-all kind of cook. That means simple ingredients, easy seasoning, and no complicated weird steps! It's great for a go-to meal, and a crowd pleaser.

Ingredients:
4 bell peppers, any color {we had enough for a fifth pepper}
1 small onion, chopped finely
4 cloves garlic, minced {I really like garlic}
3 ribs celery, chopped finely
11/4 lb ground beef
1 jar tomato basil marinara sauce
leftover rice {maybe 1 cup?}, cooked
Mozzarella cheese
Olive oil
salt, pepper, oregano to taste

Directions
Cut tops off peppers and take out the seeds and ribs, then add to baking dish
Saute onions & celery in olive oil until soft {remember these will also cook in the oven}
Add garlic and saute for around 1 minute
Saute the beef {make sure to sprinkle with spices}
Mix rice, beef mixture and pasta sauce

Spoon the filling into peppers
Cover with extra sauce + mozzarella cheese
Add some boiling water to the bottom of your dish {not in the peppers}

{see the water at the bottom? It should be very hot!}

Cover dish with foil and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.
Uncover and switch oven to broil
Cook for 10 more minutes or until cheese is brown and bubbly

Serve with garlic bread and enjoy!