Passionate Penny Pincher

We have green peppers popping up all over our garden right now, so I figured it was time to make some stuffed pepper cups!  This is a favorite recipe of my husband’s, and while it’s not my absolute favorite (give my some sweet chicken salad any day!), it’s a great frugal meal that will use up some garden fresh veggies.

My husband’s family grew up eating this one, and they always used ground beef, however I tried it out with pork sausage this time and liked it so much better (my hubby however did not – I messed with “tradition”!)  So, use whatever you can hunt down in your freezer, because the meat deals aren’t all that spectacular this week.  (But really, I’m thinking go with the pork!)  Here’s what you’ll need . . .

1 lb. ground beef or pork sausage Ground chuck on sale $2.99/lb. at Publix, ground beef on sale $1.59 at Kroger (sold in 5 lb. rolls); Jimmy Dean Sausage on sale $2.99 at Kroger, use $1/2 from 6/13 RP

6 medium green peppers

1/3 cup chopped onion

2 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

3/4 cup Minute Rice Use $0.50/1 Minute Rice Product  or $0.50/1 Minute Ready to Serve Rice 6/27/2010 RP Insert (exp 9/18/2010), should make it pretty close to free for the small boxes at Publix or Kroger

2 tbsp. Worcestershire Lea and Perrins on sale $2.19, use $2/1 Lea & Perrins Worcestershire 6/27/2010 SS Insert (exp 7/25/2010) or $1/1 Lea & Perrins Original or Thick Classic Worcestershire Sauce (IE) or Printable (FF)

Salt/Pepper to taste

Cut tops off peppers.  Remove seeds and lightly salt inside of pepper.  Sprinkle bottom of skillen with salt.  Crumble ground beef or sausage in skillet and brown.  Drain fat from meat.  Add onion and cook until onion is transparent.  Add tomato sauce, rice, worcestershire, salt and pepper to taste.  Cover and simmer about five minutes.

Stand peppers upright in baking dish (a loaf pan works great for this).  Stuff peppers, put tops on them.  Bake uncovered at 350 for about 35-40 minutes.  Top with 3/4 cups shredded cheddar cheese if desired and bake an additional five minutes.

Serve with . . .

Mashed Potatoes Russet Baking Potatoes on sale $2.99/lb. for 5 lb. bag; could also use Diner’s Choice Mashed Potatoes BOGO $3.69, use $1/2 Publix coupon from 6/13 SS

Green Giant Frozen Veggies On sale $1

Thanks to I Heart Publix and Two Thrifty Sisters for the coupon matchups.  And be sure to visit $5 Dinner Mom for even more great bargain meal deals!