Description
A comforting and hearty Easy Stuffed Pepper Soup featuring lean ground beef, bell peppers, tender rice, and a flavorful tomato broth seasoned with Italian herbs and paprika. This hearty soup comes together in under an hour and is perfect for a cozy family meal.
Ingredients
Rice
- 3/4 cup uncooked rice
Soup Base
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 medium onion, chopped
- 1.5 pounds lean ground beef
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped finely
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped finely
- 1 (13.5 fluid ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (28 fluid ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices
- 4 cups chicken broth
Seasonings
- 1/4 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cook the rice: Prepare the rice according to the package directions. You can also use pre-cooked rice if available and set it aside for later.
- Sauté onions: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and sauté for 5-7 minutes until softened and lightly browned, which adds flavor to the soup. Meanwhile, chop the bell peppers.
- Cook the ground beef: Add the lean ground beef to the pot with onions. Cook for about 5 minutes, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks. If there is excess grease from the beef, drain most of it before moving on.
- Add garlic: Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add vegetables and liquids: Add the finely chopped red and green bell peppers, tomato sauce, fire-roasted diced tomatoes with juices, chicken broth, Italian seasoning, and paprika to the pot. Raise the heat to high and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Simmer the soup: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the soup gently simmer for 15 minutes, allowing flavors to meld.
- Add rice and finish cooking: Stir in the cooked rice and continue to simmer the soup for another 10 minutes. This thickens the broth and deepens the flavors. Season with salt and pepper to taste before serving.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and keep the soup healthier.
- If you prefer, substitute chicken broth with vegetable broth for a lighter flavor.
- Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper at the end based on your taste preference.
- For a gluten-free option, ensure your broth and tomato sauce contain no gluten additives.
- This soup keeps well in the refrigerator for 3-4 days and freezes nicely for up to 2 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Soup
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
