In this economic climate, more and more people are turning to inexpensive yet tasty meals to feed their families. Pasta is a great food item to fill the stomach without breaking the bank. For under $10, you can feed a family of four and still have leftovers for lunch the next day. This recipe is also great for those who find it difficult to control portions at meal-time, as the bell peppers are used as "bowls" for your spaghetti.
Spaghetti-Stuffed Peppers with Meat Sauce
Ingredients
- 4 green bell peppers (you could also use red or yellow peppers)
- 1 small box of spaghetti
- 1 large jar of your favorite spaghetti sauce
- 1 pound of ground beef
- 1 five-ounce can of mushrooms (optional)
The Procedure
- Cut the tops off each bell pepper and clean out the seeds.
- Then bring a large pot of water to a boil. Boil the peppers for about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the color starts to become bright and bold. The peppers should be partially cooked but firm enough to hold spaghetti.
- Scoop out each pepper and set on paper towels to cool. (Be careful, though. They will be hot!)
- Brown the ground beef and drain the grease.
- Add the spaghetti sauce to a small saucepan and bring it to a simmer.
- Add the drained ground beef to the sauce and add the mushrooms, if desired. Stir occasionally.
- Meanwhile, add the spaghetti to the large pot of boiling water and cook until desired tenderness.
- To plate, set a boiled pepper in the middle of a plate and fill it with spaghetti. Top with the meat sauce, and enjoy!
Nutrition
Green bell peppers are a great source of vitamins A and C, two very potent antioxidants that help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases as well as several cancers. They also contain a small amount of vitamin K, which is good for bone health. Lower in calories, bell peppers are a great way to enhance this dish while adding valuable, healthy nutrition.
NOTE: For a more nutritious meal, use whole wheat noodles, but be sure to read the label first! Mean wheat noodles claim to be 'healthy,' but check to make sure they don't contain high fructose corn syrup, which is a highly refined sugar product that can be worse for your health than regular sugar. High fructose corn syrup is an inexpensive way for food companies to preserve "whole wheat" products. Usually whole wheat noodles labeled "organic" are a good way to go as many do not contain high fructose corn syrup.
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