Traditional Romanian Stuffed Peppers

A hearty and flavorful traditional Romanian dish featuring bell peppers stuffed with seasoned ground beef, onions, and herbs, baked to tender perfection with tomato sauce and an optional cheesy béchamel or sour cream topping.

Ingredients

• 2 yellow peppers per person
• 120 g ground beef per person
• 1 to 2 onions
• Garlic (to taste)
• Condiments of choice: parsley, oregano, or cumin
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Tomato sauce
• Béchamel or sour cream (optional)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. Slice the tops off the peppers, remove the seeds, and trim the bottoms slightly if needed so they stand upright in a baking dish or tray.
3. Cover the peppers with aluminum foil and bake in the oven for 1 hour and 30 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, sauté the onions, garlic, and ground beef in a pan, then mix in fresh tomato sauce and seasonings such as parsley, oregano, or cumin.
5. Remove the foil from the pre-baked peppers, stuff them generously with the meat mixture, and return to the oven for another 45 minutes.
6. Optionally top with béchamel sauce or sour cream a few minutes before the cooking time is up and finish baking until bubbly and golden.