Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

I found this recipe on Facebook. I have finally developed a taste for stuffed peppers so I thought, "What the heck. Let's try it."

The husband made it tonight, and used as many low sodium ingredients as possible. it was SO GOOD ! ! ! ! !

1 pound 97% Lean Ground Beef
1 Large Onion, diced
2 C Rice, uncooked
14.5 oz can Hunts Flavored Diced Tomatoes - unsalted if available
14.5 oz Can Tomato Sauce - unsalted if available
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tsp Dried Basil
1/4 tsp Ground Black Pepper
32 oz Chicken Stock - low sodium if available
2 C Water
2 T Powdered Beef Stock - low sodium if available
3 large Green Bell Peppers
1 can V-8 Juice - low sodium if possible

~*~ OPTIONAL ~*~

1/2 tsp Salt

Cheese for garnish

Sour Cream for garnish

1. In a large soup kettle, coated with cooking spray, over medium heat, brown beef with onion and rice.
2. Dice peppers into 1/2 inch pieces.
3. Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, salt (if using salt), pepper, chicken stock, water and beef stock, and allow to come to a boil.
4. Reduce heat, cover and allow to cook 20 minutes.
5. Add peppers and allow to cook 20 - 30 minutes longer. Cook longer if rice is not cooked through.

Serve topped with optional  ingredients.