Mexican Stuffed Peppers

Mexican Stuffed Peppers

2 lb extra lean ground beef

1/2 pkg Trader Joe’s taco seasoning (did you know that Trader Joe’s taco seasoning is gluten free?  check the labels of other brands and you’ll find the majority are not GF, which surprised me!)

3/4 C water

2 tsp chili powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp garlic powder

1/8 tsp ground black pepper

2 8 oz cans tomato sauce

3 large green or red bell peppers

5 scallions, chopped

1 tomato, diced

1-2 avocados, chopped (depending on how much you like avocado!)

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Halve bell peppers lengthwise and remove seeds and ribs. Steam bell peppers over boiling water until tender-crisp – you may have to do them in a couple batches.
3. While peppers are steaming, brown beef in a skillet and drain off excess fat.
4. Mix together water, taco seasoning, additional spices and 1 can of tomato sauce together and mix into ground beef. Simmer over medium low heat until liquid is reduced by half.
5. Arrange bell pepper halves in 9 X 13 pan and heap with meat mixture. Spoon tomato sauce from remaining can over the top of beef, bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
6. Remove from oven, sprinkle generously with scallions, tomatoes, and avocado, and serve!