8large green bell pepperswashed, de-seeded and with tops removed
1lbground Italian sausage
1lbground beef
1Tbspgarlic powder
16-ouncebox orzo
15ozricotta cheese
1 ½cupsshredded Italian cheesedivided
½tspthyme
1tsporegano
1egg
3.5ozpkg pepperoni
1tspsalt
½tspblack pepper
1 32-ozjar Rao's Homemade Marinara Saucedivided
Instructions
In a large frying pan, brown ground beef and ground sausage. Sprinkle garlic powder over meat while it's browning. When browned, drain and set aside.
While meat browns, bring water to boil in Dutch oven-sized stock pot. Boil orzo for 6 minutes. Rinse with cold water. Drain.
Also, while meat browns, fill a large stockpot 3/4-full of water. Bring to a boil. Carefully place green peppers into boiling water. Let cook for 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat, and run cold water into the pot in sink until peppers are cool to the touch.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In large bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 cup of the Italian cheese, thyme, oregano, salt, black pepper and egg. Mix in 1 cup marinara sauce.Add beef, sausage, pepperoni and orzo into cheese mixture.
Spoon the mixture into the cooked green peppers, and place in large rectangular baking dish. Top with spoonfuls of marinara sauce. Sprinkle on remaining 1/2 cup of Italian cheese.
Cover with foil. Bake for 1 hour, 10 minutes. Uncover; bake another 5 minutes or until cheese melts and starts to turn golden brown.