Stuffed peppers are one of those classic dishes that looks way fancier and more complicated than it actually is. For an alternate take on the dish, why not try turning those same flavors into a soup instead?
Don’t forget to make your own Italian Seasoning to use in this stuffed pepper soup recipe! If you have a little extra time to spend in the kitchen you could also learn How to Make Crock Pot Bone Broth to use in place of store-bought beef broth.
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Stuffed peppers are one of those things that most people only ever eat at restaurants because they seem like way too much effort to be worth it.
However, while actually making regular stuffed peppers isn’t actually as difficult as you might think, it is far easier to instead turn it into a soup to get all of those same flavors.
Packed with vegetables, meat, rice, and sauce, this is a hearty, comforting soup that is perfect for cold weather days.
Why Use Diced Tomatoes And Tomato Sauce
This recipe calls for the use of both diced tomatoes and tomato sauce separately, and you might be wondering what the point is of using both of them at once.
Well, tomato sauce is super useful in adding additional moisture, as well as a base layer of acidity throughout the whole soup.
The use of diced tomatoes, meanwhile, adds that little hit of chunkiness and textural contrast with the rest of the recipe.
While you could simply just use one or the other, using both adds a lot more depth of flavor and texture to every bite.
Can You Use Brown Rice?
Dry white rice is used in this recipe to not only thicken the soup but also provide that starchy base that provides vital calories and makes the whole soup filling enough to be a meal in its own right.
However, one problem with white rice is that is pretty high on the glycemic index.
If a food is high on the glycemic index, then the body can process it way faster, resulting in a larger spike of glucose into the bloodstream. This is a problem for those at risk of developing diabetes, as well as those just looking to eat healthily.
A good alternative to white rice would be to use brown rice – not only is it lower on the glycemic index, but it also has more natural fiber, as well as an earthier and more nourishing taste.
If you do use brown rice instead of white rice, however, make sure to cook it completely, which usually means cooking it for around 45 minutes, which is way longer than regular white rice.
When in doubt, follow your brown rice’s package directions, but just ensure it is cooked completely through, as under-cooked brown rice can be pretty gross.
Make Your Soup More Or Less Liquid-y To Suit Your Taste
The great thing about making your own soup is that you can truly play around with it to make it precisely how you’d like it.
This is not just about adjusting the flavorings or saltiness of your soup – you can also play around with its consistency as well.
This recipe should make for a pretty standard liquidy soup, but what if you want it a bit more liquid-forward?
For those that like to slurp their soup, just add an extra cup full of beef broth to help thin everything out.
For those that want it a bit chunkier, try omitting just a little bit of beef broth instead – it should turn chunky and thick, making for a more stew-like consistency.
What Should You Serve With Your Soup?
This soup has plenty of rice and beef, meaning that you don’t really need to serve it with anything – however if you want to bulk out your meals a little bit more, why try some of these?
- Crusty Bread
Good old-fashioned crusty bread is a mainstay for a good reason when it comes to soup. The right crusty bread should be really crinkly and rough, and it should pair beautifully with the soup so that every bite is a mix of soft, warm soup and hard, crackly bread.
- Side Salad
A slightly healthier option, a simple side salad is a great way to add a little more leafy greens into your diet alongside your soup.
- Garlic Bread
Garlic bread is basically taking crusty bread and turning it up to 11 with tons of butter, garlic, and herbs, so what’s not to like?
- Extra Vegetable (Greens)
For those that really want to try and be healthy in the new year, any kind of vegetable dish would work really well to help not only bulk out your meal but add extra nutrients as well. Something like green beans, or even a simple dish of steamed broccoli, would add a ton of flavor and texture to this soup.
Looking for more delicious Soup recipes? Try these out:
• Simple Classic Hamburger Soup
• Classic Homemade Minestrone Soup Recipe
Happy Cooking
Love,
Karlynn
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Stuffed Pepper Soup
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry white rice (prepared)
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 large green bell pepper (chopped small)
- 1 cup onion (finely diced)
- 1 clove garlic (minced fine)
- 3 cups beef broth
- ⅛ cup packed brown sugar
- 1 29 ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 15 ounce can tomato sauce
- ¼ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare one cup of dry white rice as per the directions on the box. Set aside.
- Heat a large dutch oven or large pot over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned and crumbly, about 6-7 minutes.
- Drain the grease, but leave about a teaspoon in the bottom of the pot. Discard the rest of the grease.
- Add the green pepper and onion and cook on medium heat until the onion has softened, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and saute for 1 minute more.
- Add in the broth, brown sugar, can of tomatoes, tomato sauce, and Italian seasoning. Cover and simmer until peppers are tender, about 30 to 45 minutes.
- Add the cooked rice to the soup and bring to a light simmer, add salt and pepper to taste, then serve.
Cathy says
This is one of the best soup I have ever eaten. My family loved it, this is a keeper. Thank you!
Jane Dellinger says
I have been making this for years now…It is WONDERFUL and freezes well. I use all the colors of peppers besides traditional green. And I use Hunts flavored tomato sauces for more flavor to the soup. Everyone…try it, you will love it!