Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a comforting and flavorful one-pan meal that combines the classic flavors of stuffed bell peppers into a simple casserole form. Ground beef, bell peppers, garlic, and rice are cooked together in a savory tomato sauce, then baked to perfection with a cheesy topping. This hearty dish is perfect for a family dinner and is easy to prepare with minimal cleanup.
- Author: zara
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella), divided
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Preheat oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to get it ready for baking the casserole later.
- Cook beef & veggies: In a large oven-safe skillet or casserole dish, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef, diced onion, chopped bell peppers, and minced garlic. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is browned and the vegetables are tender, about 7 to 8 minutes. Drain any excess fat from the skillet.
- Add rice & sauce: Stir in the diced tomatoes (with their juices), tomato sauce, uncooked long-grain rice, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix well until combined and bring the mixture to a simmer on the stovetop.
- Bake: Cover the skillet with a lid or foil (or transfer to a covered casserole dish if your skillet isn’t oven-safe). Bake in the preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid.
- Cheese topping: Remove the casserole from the oven, stir the mixture gently, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheese evenly on top. Return it to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 5 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Allow the casserole to cool for a few minutes before serving. Serve warm and enjoy this delicious, hearty meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use low-sodium broth and reduce added salt to manage sodium intake.
- Feel free to mix different bell pepper colors for a vibrant dish.
- To make this dish vegetarian, replace ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat substitute and use vegetable broth.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 2 months.
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, ground beef casserole, bell pepper recipe, cheesy casserole, easy dinner, one-pan meal