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Princess Diana’s Favorite Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Total time: 75 mins.
Difficulty: Low
Serves: 4 people
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Princess Diana’s favorite dinner is a comforting, elegant dish that brings together tender red bell peppers stuffed with a delicious filling of sautéed vegetables, savory smoked bacon, mozzarella, and aromatic herbs. Topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese, these stuffed peppers are baked to perfection, making them an ideal meal for both weeknights and special occasions. With its rich flavors and hearty ingredients, this recipe captures the essence of a royal comfort meal.

Why Everyone Will Love This Recipe

This dish is a perfect combination of textures and flavors. The bell peppers provide a sweet and tender base, while the filling of sautéed onions, mushrooms, zucchini, and tomatoes offers a savory, aromatic contrast. The addition of crispy bacon, fresh basil, and mozzarella elevates the dish, adding richness and depth. The Parmesan cheese topping melts beautifully, creating a golden crust on top. Whether you’re looking for a light dinner or a hearty side dish, Princess Diana’s Stuffed Peppers will leave everyone at the table satisfied.

What Is Princess Diana’s Favorite Stuffed Peppers?

Princess Diana’s stuffed peppers are a vibrant and flavorful dish, made with red bell peppers that are first roasted to soften, then filled with a mixture of sautéed vegetables, rice, bacon, fresh basil, and cheese. The peppers are baked until golden and bubbly, making them the perfect balance of healthy vegetables and indulgent cheese. This dish combines royal elegance with comfort food at its finest.

Cooking Tips

  • Choose the right peppers: Make sure the peppers are large enough to hold the filling. Red bell peppers are preferred for their sweetness, but you can use yellow or orange peppers if you prefer.
  • Don’t overcook the rice: Since the rice is cooked until al dente, it will retain a slightly firm texture and absorb the flavors of the filling better.
  • Adjust the seasoning: Taste the filling before stuffing the peppers to make sure the seasoning is just right. Add extra salt, pepper, or basil if needed.
  • Crisp up the bacon: Broiling the bacon gives it a crisp, smoky flavor that adds great texture to the filling. Be sure to chop it up once it’s crispy for even distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of cheese?

Yes! While mozzarella adds a creamy texture, you can swap it for other cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, or provolone if you prefer a different flavor profile.

Can I make these stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can prepare the stuffed peppers up to the point of baking. Simply refrigerate them for up to a day, then bake them when ready to serve.

How do I make this dish vegetarian?

To make this dish vegetarian, simply omit the bacon and replace the chicken bouillon cube with a vegetable bouillon cube. The other ingredients will still create a rich, flavorful filling.

Can I freeze leftover stuffed peppers?

Yes, stuffed peppers freeze well! Once baked, allow them to cool completely and store in an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake them in the oven at 350°F until heated through.

Can I use a different grain instead of rice?

Yes, you can substitute the rice with quinoa, couscous, or farro for a different texture and flavor. Be sure to adjust the cooking time for the substitute.

How to Store

Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F for about 15 minutes or until heated through.

How to Freeze

To freeze, allow the stuffed peppers to cool completely. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap or place them in an airtight container. Freeze for up to 3 months. To reheat, bake at 350°F for about 25 minutes or until warmed through.

Ingredients

For the Peppers:

  • 4 medium bell peppers – These will be the base for stuffing, cut tops off and deseeded.
  • 1/4 cup olive oil – Used for drizzling over the peppers and sautéing vegetables.

For the Filling:

  • 1/2 cup chopped onion – Adds flavor and aroma to the filling.
  • 1 cup thinly sliced mushrooms – Brings earthiness and texture to the filling.
  • 1 zucchini, diced – Adds freshness and crunch to the mixture.
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano – Seasoning for the filling to add a fragrant herby flavor.
  • Salt & freshly ground black pepper – To taste for seasoning the filling.
  • 2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped – For juiciness and balance in the filling.
  • 1 cup rice, cooked al dente and cooled – This will help bind the filling and add bulk.
  • 1/2 cup water – Used to bring the filling together when cooking.
  • 1/2 chicken or 1/2 vegetable bouillon cube – Adds depth of flavor to the filling.
  • 4 slices bacon, cooked until crisp and chopped – For crunch and savory flavor in the filling.
  • 1 tablespoon fresh basil, shredded – Fresh herbs to add brightness to the dish.
  • 4 ounces mozzarella cheese, diced – Adds creaminess and richness to the filling.
  • 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese – To sprinkle on top for an extra cheesy finish.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare the peppers: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C). Cut the tops off the bell peppers, removing the seeds and membranes. If needed, trim the bottoms slightly to make the peppers stand upright. Place them on a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes or until they begin to soften. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  2. Sauté the vegetables: In a frying pan, pour the olive oil from the roasted peppers and add the onions, mushrooms, and zucchini. Season with salt and pepper, and sauté over high heat for about 5 minutes until softened. Add the tomatoes, rice, water, and bouillon cube, and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning as needed.
  3. Add the bacon and cheese: Fold in the crispy bacon, basil, and mozzarella, and mix well. The filling should be rich and creamy.
  4. Stuff the peppers: Carefully fill each pepper with the vegetable and rice mixture. Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese on top.
  5. Bake the stuffed peppers: Return the stuffed peppers to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  6. Serve: Serve the stuffed peppers hot, garnished with additional fresh basil or a drizzle of olive oil if desired.
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