Orzo-Stuffed Peppers

Prep : 30 minutes              Makes 4 servings

Packed with orzo, Italian sausage and summer flavors, these stuffed peppers make a fun, fast-fixing meal. Get colorful with green, orange, red or yellow peppers. Use more or less pepper flakes to adjust the level of heat to your liking!

4                    large green peppers
1                    cup uncooked orzo pasta
1                    pound bulk Italian sausage
1/2                 cup chopped red onion
2                    teaspoons minced garlic
2                    cups marinara or spaghetti sauce
1                    medium tomato, chopped
1/4                 cup minced fresh basil or 1 tablespoon dried basil
2                    teaspoons dried rosemary, crushed
1                    teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4                 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
2                    tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 .         Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. In a large Dutch oven, cook peppers in boiling water for 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; set aside.
Cook orzo according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, cook the sausage, onion \over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer.
Drain. Drain orzo; stir into meat mixture. Add the marinara sauce, tomato, basil, rosemary and pepper flakes. Spoon into peppers.
2 .           Place in a greased 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish. Cover and bake at 350° for 10 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with cheeses. Bake 5 minutes longer or until cheese is melted.
Serve immediately or before baking, cover and freeze casserole for up to 3 months.
To use frozen casserole: Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. Remove from the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Cover and bake according to directions. Yield: 4 servings.
TIP :
Shred and Freeze Cheese:
It’s usually cheaper to buy cheese in blocks than in shredded form. So I purchase large quantities of cheddar, Monterey Jack and mozzarella, then shred them myself in my food processor. I store the shredded cheese in the freezer in heavy-duty resealable plastic bags, so I have it at my fingertips whenever it’s needed.

Pairing :
Medium-Bodied Red Wine
Enjoy this recipe with a medium-bodied red wine such as Chianti, Sangiovese, Malbec or Zinfandel.