Description
Cheesy stuffed pepper casserole brings classic Mexican-inspired comfort to dinner tables across North America. Home cooks can quickly prepare this hearty one-pan meal with simple ingredients and minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
Vegetables:
- 3 bell peppers (diced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Grains and Liquid Base:
- 2 cups white or brown rice (cooked)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
Cheese and Seasonings:
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 350F (175C) and coat a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- Sauté chopped bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, incorporating Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Cook until meat is thoroughly browned and no pink remains, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Drain excess fat from the meat mixture, then introduce cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth. Stir ingredients to create a harmonious blend and allow flavors to meld for 3-4 minutes.
- Pour the beef and rice mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, ensuring smooth distribution.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese becomes golden, melted, and slightly crispy around the edges.
- Remove from oven and allow casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the ingredients and enhance flavor integration.
Notes
- Customize the rice by using brown rice or quinoa for added nutrition and different textures.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter or vegetarian version of the casserole.
- Enhance the flavor profile by adding a sprinkle of smoked paprika or red pepper flakes for a subtle kick.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing the flavors to meld together before baking for an even more delicious meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg