Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 2 large bell peppers, halved lengthwise and seeds removed
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- ½ cup diced onion
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup marinara or tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp smoked paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
- Fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 360°F (182°C).
- Brown the ground beef with the onion until cooked through. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
- Stir in the cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 2–3 minutes.
- Fill each pepper half with the meat mixture and top with shredded cheese.
- Arrange the peppers in the air fryer basket in a single layer.
- Air fry for 10–15 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and lightly browned. If you prefer softer peppers, cook for an additional 3–5 minutes.
Tips
- If using raw rice, cook it first before mixing it into the filling.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute the meat with black beans, lentils, or crumbled tofu.
- Add mushrooms, corn, spinach, or diced zucchini to the filling for extra vegetables.
- Garnish with chopped parsley or grated Parmesan before serving.
