Pizza Stuffed Peppers

Name: Pizza Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients: 1 cup cooked (1/2 cup dry) white rice; 3 red or green bell peppers; 1 tablespoon olive oil or unsalted butter; 1/2 yellow onion , diced; 2 cloves garlic , minced; 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90/10); 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; 1 1/4 cups pizza or marinara sauce , divided; 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 9 slices pepperoni , cut into quarters, or about 36 mini pepperoni; 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese; Chopped fresh basil , optional, for serving