Stuffed Pepper Soup is one of those dishes that comes together quickly, feeds a large family, and eliminates the fuss of mixing, stuffing, and baking. In one big pot, all the flavours of stuffed peppers comes together in a hearty, delicious, family-friendly, soup.
STUFFED PEPPER SOUP
Since I’ve started writing this blog, I’ve shared with you, Dear Reader, so many of my secrets. And, now, I’m about to share another secret with you. This is not a deep, shameful secret, but a food-related secret.
Here goes: I cannot stand the thought of eating bell peppers! Red peppers are ok if they’re cooked properly, but raw is completely out of the question! Green peppers taste like a mouth full of soil. And, yes, I speak from personal experience. I remember running through a vegetable garden when I was a kid and I fell face-first into that black garden soil. Yuck!
One of my colleagues will often bring peppers to work for a snack. Sometimes she dips the pepper pieces in hummus, but other times, she eats them as is. It’s gross, I tell you!
IF YOU DISLIKE BELL PEPPERS, TRY THIS!
If peppers are cooked or roasted, I can eat them without hesitation. Roasted red peppers are so delicious – and I credit much of that to the fact that the skin is removed.
In this soup, even though the peppers are not roasted, they are cooked in a delicious broth with some other great ingredients and the whole thing just works.
If you’re bell pepper-impaired, (Did I just say that?) give this soup a try; you might just be a converted pepper-hater! (Someone stop me!)
A GREAT MAKE-AHEAD RECIPE!
I love to make a good hearty soup like this on a Friday night or a Saturday morning. By doing so, I’m able to allow the soup to fully cool before packing it up in freezer-safe containers and freezing it.
I can take a container out of the freezer before leaving for work in the morning and placing it in the refrigerator. By the time I get home, all I have to do it place the soup in a pot and simmer it on low heat until we’re ready to eat.
It sure does take some of the guesswork out of what to have for a weeknight dinner. I used to love coming home and making dinner after work, but for the past month or so, it’s become quite burdensome. I think it’s because there’s always something else to do.
FREEZE IT AND RE-HEAT DURING THE WEEK
If I’m not washing a load of laundry, or doing some chores, I’m probably helping McKenna with homework or helping her rehearse her lines for her school’s upcoming musical. She’s playing Cogsworth in Beauty and the Beast. Truth be told, I now know almost every line!
Lately, I’ve also found my love of reading has resurfaced. I used to read so much, but after completing a 4-year online degree, while working full time, reading was a pleasure I didn’t have time for. I completed the degree a year ago, but just was not able to get back into reading.
A few weeks ago, on an Indigo visit with Margaret, I picked up The Girl in Cabin 10 and my passion for reading was reignited. Since then, I’ve read three novels and am in search of my next reading addiction. (Reading is probably why I don’t feel like cooking after work anymore!)
Well, I’ve ranted enough. You’re here for the soup recipe, not my life’s story. Here you go. 🙂
Stuffed Pepper Soup
Ingredients
- 2 large white onions, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 large green bell peppers, finely chopped
- 2 large red bell peppers, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cups vegetarian beef crumbles
- 6 cups vegetable stock
- 2 cups canned crushed tomatoes
- 2 cups canned diced tomatoes
- 1/2 cup tomato paste
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 cups instant white rice
- 1/2 cup parsley, finely chopped; plus more for garnish
Instructions
- In a large pot, over medium high heat, add the olive oil, onions, peppers, salt, and pepper. Saute, stirring often, for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
- Next, add the vegetarian crumbles (or lean ground beef if you're making a non-vegetarian version) and stir into the onion and pepper mixture.
- Place the lid on the pot and cook for 8 minutes, stirring once in between. (If using ground beef, be sure the beef is fully cooked before moving on to the next step.)
- Lastly, add all of the remaining ingredients. Stir well to incorporate. Place a lid on the pot and cook for 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, stir the soup well, and continue to simmer for 50 minutes. Stir every 10-15 minutes. The rice likes to settle at the bottom of the pot, so try to stir often to prevent this from happening, because the rice will burn.
- With 10 minutes remaining until the soup is ready, take a look at the consistency of the soup. If you prefer a more liquid soup, add another cup or so of broth and stir well. (I prefer a thick, hearty, stew-like soup, so as you can see from the pictures, my soup is more dense.)
- Lastly, stir in the chopped parsley, place the lid back on the pot and turn off the heat. Allow soup to sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir and serve immediately with fresh chopped parsley for garnish.
Daria says
What a delicious looking spicy risotto! This would be perfect for that Italian bread I’ve been planning to bake. ^_^
Thanks for the recipe.
Lori Vachon says
I want to dive right into a bowl, your version looks amazing!!!
Ashley @ Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen says
I love a good reshoot! I’m in the middle of several as well. This soup looks SO warm and comforting – all the flavors of a classic dish, but in soup form. Well done!
Sasha @ Eat Love Eat says
This soup sounds delicious! And filling too, yum.
byronethomas@gmail.com says
Thank you, Sasha. 🙂