UNstuffed Stuffed Peppers

a quick meal to throw together on the stove. use pre-prepared rice and then it's just a matter of chopping the onion, peppers, garlic and frying the ground beef (preferably ground at home from 1 piece of sirloin or round steak or chuck roast. [for a change of pace, you can substitute cooked orzo...

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  lb ground beef
• 2 -3  cups cooked rice
• 1 (20 ounce) can  tomatoes and  liquid, tomatoes cut up in small chunks
• 4  green peppers, cored, seeded and sliced very thin
• 2  large onions, peeled and finely sliced
• 2  tablespoons  spitiko greek olive oil
• 3  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon  salt and pepper (to taste)
• 1 (7 ounce) can green chilies, drained and chopped, if desired

Directions

1. Put olive oil in 12 inch deep frying pan or pot. Heat 2 minutes or so on medium heat. Add sliced green peppers and salt and pepper to taste. when slightly cooked, add sliced onion and minced garlic for another 2 minutes or so.
2. Add ground beef, separating into small pieces and cook just until the pink of the meat disappears.
3. Add canned tomatoes and liquid from the can and cooked rice, separating the rice kernels.
4. Stir well until combined.
5. NOTE: if you prefer your vegetables crisper and less-cooked, adjust that at the beginning.
6. You can also add Italian seasoning OR dried basil OR dried oregano, if desired.