# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 4 large bell peppers, tops removed and seeds discarded
02 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
03 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Meat
04 - 1 lb (16 oz) lean ground beef
→ Sauce and Seasonings
05 - 1 cup (8 fl oz) tomato sauce
06 - 2 tbsp tomato paste
07 - 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
08 - 1 tbsp brown sugar
09 - 1 tsp smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 tsp chili powder
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
→ Other
13 - 1 tbsp olive oil
14 - 1/2 cup (2 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
# Steps to Follow:
01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
02 - Place the bell peppers upright in a baking dish.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté onion until softened, about 3 minutes, then add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
04 - Add ground beef and cook, breaking apart with a spoon, until fully browned, approximately 5 to 7 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
05 - Incorporate tomato sauce, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, brown sugar, smoked paprika, chili powder, salt, and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
06 - Spoon the meat mixture evenly into each bell pepper.
07 - Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
08 - Remove foil, sprinkle cheddar cheese over peppers if using, and bake uncovered for 5 to 7 minutes until cheese melts and peppers are tender.
09 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
