Homemade Beefy Stuffed Pepper Soup

This beefy stuffed pepper soup features a homemade tomato sauce, fresh veggies, fragrant ingredients, and savory ground beef, resulting in a hearty soup that is perfect for any time of the year.

How to Make Homemade Tomato Sauce

To create a homemade tomato sauce that brings depth and richness to your stuffed pepper soup (or any dish where you use sauce), start by incorporating 4 oz of tomato paste into a saucepan over medium-high heat, allowing it to cook slightly to enhance its flavor. Add 28 oz of whole San Marzano tomatoes, crushing them by hand or with a potato masher to release their juices and create a rustic texture. Let this mixture simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens to your desired consistency. This simmering process melds the flavors, resulting in a robust tomato base that complements the savory elements of your soup perfectly.

Making your own tomato sauce at home offers numerous advantages over store-bought varieties, starting with superior flavor and control over ingredients. Homemade sauce allows you to use high-quality, fresh ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, renowned for their sweet flavor and low acidity, which help to significantly elevate the taste of your dishes. Unlike many commercial sauces that may contain added sugars, preservatives, or artificial flavors, your homemade version is healthier and free from unnecessary additives. Additionally, preparing tomato sauce at home is simpler than it might seem. With just a few basic ingredients—tomato paste and whole, ripe tomatoes—and a straightforward process of simmering, you can perfect creating a delicious, robust sauce.

Should You Add Sugar to Tomato Sauce?

Adding sugar to tomato sauce is a highly debated topic among cooks, and the decision often hinges on the type of tomatoes used and personal taste preferences:

Advantages of Adding Sugar

1. Balances Acidity: Tomatoes naturally contain acids that can result in a sharp taste. A pinch of sugar can balance this acidity, giving the sauce a smoother, more rounded flavor.
2. Enhances Natural Sweetness: Sugar can help highlight the natural sweetness of the tomatoes, which might be particularly necessary if the tomatoes aren’t fully ripe or inherently less sweet.

Disadvantages of Adding Sugar

1. Masks Tomato Flavor: Adding too much sugar can overpower the natural flavors of the tomatoes, resulting in a sauce that tastes more sweetened than authentic.
2. Health Considerations: For those monitoring their sugar intake, adding sugar to tomato sauce adds unnecessary calories and can be detrimental to dietary goals.

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Homemade Beefy Stuffed Pepper Soup Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 large green pepper, diced
• 1 medium red pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• 6 oz tomato paste
• 28 oz San Marzano whole tomatoes, peeled
• 16 oz beef stock
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar, if needed
• Black peppercorn, cracked, to taste
• Salt, to taste
• 4 oz. fresh Mozzarella, grated
• 1 cup Jasmine rice

Homemade Beefy Stuffed Pepper Soup Directions

1. Prepare peppers, onion, and garlic; add generous drizzle of olive oil to medium pot over medium-high heat
2. Add peppers and onion to pot, cook for 5-8 minutes, or until softened; stir frequently
3. After vegetables are softened, add minced garlic and ground beef; cook until beef is browned, 5-6 minutes; break up ground beef while cooking; stir frequently
4. In a separate large pot, add drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat; add tomato paste and whole tomatoes (with juice); crush tomatoes using masher or back of a large spoon until desired consistency; bring to a low boil and immediately turn heat to simmer/low

5. Once tomato sauce is at a low simmer, add Italian seasoning, chili powder, and smoked paprika; stir until ingredients are well combined
6. Carefully transfer cooked vegetables and beef into large pot containing homemade tomato sauce; thoroughly stir to combine
7. Once mixed, add beef stock; again stirring to combine; bring to low simmer and put on lid; allow to simmer for 35-40 minutes
8. While soup base is simmering, cook rice according to instructions on bag; add cooked rice to soup and stir to mix

9. Before removing from heat, carefully taste soup; add sugar, salt, or pepper if needed; stir to mix if added
10. Remove large pot from heat, allow to slightly cool before serving in soup bowl; top with freshly grated Mozzarella cheese if desired

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Did you enjoy this homemade beefy stuffed pepper soup? Be sure to try some of R&R’s other Soup Recipes!