Bell Pepper & Rice Bake (Unstuffed Bell Peppers)

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers, chopped, any color
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 links soy sausage, cut into chunks
• 2 cups chopped onions
• 1 cup chopped celery (optional)
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley (or 1/4 cup dried)
• 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans chopped tomatoes
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 pinch cayenne (to taste)
• 3 cups cooked rice
• 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 8 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. 2

   Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Sauté “sausage” for 2 minutes.

3. 3

   Add peppers, onion, celery, garlic and parsley, and cook about 10 minutes more.

4. 4

   Stir in the tomatoes, thyme and cayenne, and remove from heat.

5. 5

   Mix in the cooked rice and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese.

6. 6

   Put mixture in a 13x9 dish, cover dish with foil, and bake 45 minutes.

7. 7

   Uncover peppers, and sprinkle the remaining Parmesan cheese over the dish, and cook uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.