Stuffed Pepper Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 lb (450g) ground beef, turkey, or sausage
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional, for browning)
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or a mix), diced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
• 4 cups (1 liter) beef or chicken broth
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1/2 cup uncooked rice (or 1 cup cooked rice for faster preparation)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley or basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Cook the Meat: In a large pot or Dutch oven, brown the ground beef or turkey over medium heat. Break it into small pieces as it cooks. Drain excess grease and set aside.
2. Sauté the Vegetables: In the same pot, add olive oil if needed. Sauté the onions and celery until softened (about 3-4 minutes). Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Then, add the diced bell peppers and cook for another 5 minutes until slightly tender.
3. Prepare the Soup Base: Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil.
4. Cook the Rice: Add uncooked rice to the pot and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover and cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender. (If using cooked rice, stir it in during the last 5 minutes of cooking to heat through.)
5. Combine with Meat: Add the cooked ground meat back to the pot. Let it simmer for a few more minutes to blend the flavors.
6. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with fresh parsley or basil, if desired. Serve with crusty bread or a side salad.

Enjoy this comforting and flavorful soup! It’s great for meal prepping or feeding a crowd.