Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty Stuffed Pepper Casserole, blending classic flavors with easy preparation. Bold peppers, ground beef, and rice meld into a satisfying one-dish meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 4 large bell peppers (red, green, yellow, or orange)
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetable Base:
- 1 medium onion
- 3 cloves garlic
- 2 cans (14.5 ounces/411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) tomato sauce
Seasoning and Liquids:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375°F, preparing a baking vessel for the hearty casserole.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil and gently sauté chopped onions and minced garlic until translucent and fragrant.
- Introduce ground beef to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces and browning thoroughly until no pink remains.
- Fold chopped bell peppers into the meat mixture, allowing them to soften and release their vibrant flavors for approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate cooked rice, tangy tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and rich beef broth into the skillet. Season generously with salt, cracked black pepper, and aromatic Italian herbs, stirring to combine all elements harmoniously.
- Carefully transfer the robust mixture into a prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer of the savory concoction.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melty goodness.
- Slide the casserole into the preheated oven, baking for 20-25 minutes until the cheese transforms into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and allow to rest briefly before serving this comforting one-dish meal piping hot.
Notes
- Customize the spice level by adding red pepper flakes or jalapeños for extra heat.
- Replace ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter, healthier alternative.
- Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and add more fiber.
- Consider topping with fresh herbs like chopped parsley or cilantro right before serving to add brightness and freshness to the dish.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg