Stuffed Green Pepper Soup

1 pound ground beef, browned
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2 T
Parmesan cheese
1 pint tomato juice
2/3 C rice, cooked
1/8 to 1/4 C brown sugar, or to taste
2 green peppers, chopped
1 tsp smoked paprika   optional
1 tsp onion powder optional
1 tsp garlic powder optional

Chop the peppers and set aside. Brown the ground beef in a skillet over medium heat, drain, and set aside. Cook the rice and set aside. Combine rice, ground beef, peppers, and the rest of the ingredients in a large pot and cook over medium heat for about 20 minutes.