Stuffed Pepper Soup
Makes: ~6 servings
Prep time: ~15 min
Cook time: ~45 min
Ingredients
- 
1 lb ground beef (the leaner the better) 
- 
1 green bell pepper, chopped 
- 
1 cup finely diced onion 
- 
1 jar Old Dutch Salsa (adjust heat/spice to your preference) 
- 
1 jar of tomato sauce 
- 
1 tetra pack of chicken broth 
- 
½ tsp dried thyme 
- 
¼–½ tsp dried oregano (start smaller, taste, then add more) 
- 
Salt & pepper, to taste 
- 
1 cup cooked white rice 
- 
Grated Cheese for Garnish (optional) 
Instructions
- 
In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef until browned, breaking it into crumbles. Drain off excess fat if needed. 
- 
Add the chopped green pepper and diced onion. Cook until onion is translucent and peppers have softened, ~5 minutes. 
- 
Stir in the Old Dutch Salsa and tomato sauce. 
- 
Pour in chicken broth and 2 cups of water. Add thyme and oregano. Season with salt & pepper (but go light initially — the salsa may add salt already). 
- 
Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce heat. Cover and simmer until the peppers are tender, about 30–45 minutes. 
- 
While the soup simmers, cook your rice. 
- 
When rice is done, stir it into the soup. Taste and adjust seasoning (maybe more oregano, salt, or pepper). 
- 
Serve hot. 
Notes & Tips
- 
Because salsa often includes spices, onions, maybe even garlic and some salt, taste early before adding too much extra salt. 
- 
If you prefer a smoother texture, you could partially blend some of the soup or use a salsa that’s more liquid. 
- 
If it’s too thick, add extra broth or water to loosen it. 
- 
If you want more oregano flavor, go up to ½ tsp (or even ¾ tsp) total, but do it incrementally. 
