Roasted-Pepper-Pasta-Stuffed Peppers

Recipe & picture courtesy of Rachael Ray

Serves 4

• Salt
• 1/2 pound short whole wheat pasta
• 4 large red bell peppers, tops cut off and reserved, seeds
• Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil (EVOO), plus more for drizzling
• 4 jarred roasted red peppers
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 small portobello mushroom caps, chopped
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 sprigs rosemary, stems discarded and leaves chopped
• One 28-ounce can fire-roasted crushed or diced tomatoes
• 2 cups arugula or baby spinach (a few generous handfuls)
• 1 cup loosely packed basil leaves
• 1 cup grated pecorino-romano cheese

1. Preheat the oven to 425°. Bring a large pot of water to a boil, salt it, add the pasta and cook until al dente.
2. Trim the bottoms of the bell peppers, without cutting a hole, so that they stand. Season inside with salt and black pepper. Turn the peppers bottom side up in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, set the tops alongside and drizzle with EVOO. Roast for 20 minutes.
3. Using a food processor, puree the roasted red peppers. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons EVOO, 2 turns of the pan, over medium heat. Add the red onion, garlic, mushrooms, crushed red pepper and rosemary and cook until softened, 7 minutes. Stir in the pureed peppers and the fire-roasted tomatoes; season with salt and black pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes. Add the pasta and toss. Add the arugula and basil and cook until wilted.
4. Preheat the broiler. Turn the peppers upright; fill with pasta. Top with the cheese and broil until melted, 2 minutes. Cover with the tops and serve with any extra pasta.

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