Yummy Stuffed Pepper Soup

Guys, I made a stuffed pepper soup and it was oh so delicious. I was more than just thrilled because B doesn't like bell peppers that much and I love them. I always had to sneak a few slices into dishes or just eat them separately. Not this time. He devoured this delicious, quite healthy and easy soup. Best part? It's gluten free and you don't have to go overboard to make it that way because it's already gluten free.

Here's what you need:

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 Tbsp olive oil, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small yellow onion chopped {about 1 cup}
• 3/4 cup chopped red bell pepper 
• 3/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans petite diced tomatoes
• 1 {15 oz} can tomato sauce
• 1 {14.5} can beef or chicken broth
• 2 1/2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp dried oregano
• 1 cup rice {white or brown}
• Cheddar or mozzarella cheese, for serving {optional but it is so yummy}

Here's what you do:

• In a large pot heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat
• Once hot add beef, season with salt and pepper and cook until browned
• Drain beef and pour onto a plate {lined with paper towels}, set aside
• Heat 1 Tbsp oil in the same pot {don't want to use too many pots here}
• Add onions,  and bell peppers and saute for about 3 minutes
• Add garlic, mix together
• Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, broth as well as parsley, basil and oregano
• Then add the beef, season with salt and pepper to taste
• Bring to a light boil & then reduce the heat to low, cover & simmer for about 30 minutes
• In a separate pot or rice cooker prepare the rice
• Once the soup is done add rice to the soup, slowly mix it all together
• Serve and garnish with cheese or/and fresh parsley {or none}

If you want your soup to be more soupy do not add all the rice. I added all the rice and it still felt soupy but we loved it. It was even better the next day. It didn't turn into mush at all. We mixed in cheddar cheese and it tasted great, not at all cheesy if you are worried about that. I used chicken broth because that is what I had handy. I didn't want to go out and buy beef broth and it still worked. 

Loved this dish on a cold day in January! We so deserved this healthy dish. ;) 

Any soups you love to eat during this time of year?!