Step 1

Make sauce: Mix all ingredients for the sauce in a medium measuring cup.

Step 2

Make filling: Mix all ingredients for the stuffed peppers (EXCEPT for the peppers themselves) in a large bowl.

Step 3

Assemble: Ladle a little of the sauce in the bottom of a 6-7 quart crockpot. Tightly stuff peppers, until filling reaches just under rim. Place stuffed peppers in crock, making sure they are upright. Slight stacking is fine, as long as lid closes tightly without touching peppers. Spread remaining sauce evenly over peppers.

Step 4

Cook: Close lid and cook on LOW for 5-6 hours, or on HIGH for 2-3 hours. Check peppers to make sure filling has cooked all the way through. Top with shredded cheese if you like and close lid for another 5 minutes until cheese has melted. Serve with sauce rom bottom of crock.