Ardei Umpluți

Savor the comforting flavors of Ardei Umpluți, a classic Romanian dish featuring tender bell peppers stuffed with savory ground beef, rice, and aromatic herbs. Ideal for a cozy weeknight dinner that warms the heart.

• 4 large bell peppers
• 300 grams ground beef
• 1 cup rice
• 1 medium onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme

Method

1. 1

   Preheat a large pot over medium heat and add vegetable oil.

2. 2

   Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until soft and translucent, about 3-4 minutes.

3. 3

   Add ground beef to the pot and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon, around 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Stir in the uncooked rice, tomato sauce, salt, pepper, and thyme. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until combined.

5. 5

   While the mixture is cooking, cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds.

6. 6

   Stuff each bell pepper with the beef and rice mixture, packing it gently.

7. 7

   Place the stuffed peppers upright in the pot, add a little water to cover the bottom, and cover with a lid.

8. 8

   Simmer for about 15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the rice is cooked through.