Description
Mexican-inspired quick and simple stuffed pepper casserole blends hearty ground beef with zesty peppers and melted cheese. Diners savor rich flavors and convenient preparation in this comforting one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 3 bell peppers (diced)
- 2 cups white or brown rice (cooked)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Cooking Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
- In a large skillet, sauté chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers in olive oil over medium heat until vegetables become tender and slightly translucent, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Add ground beef to the skillet, seasoning with salt, black pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook thoroughly until meat is completely browned and no pink remains, breaking into small crumbles.
- Drain any excess grease from the meat mixture to reduce unnecessary fat content.
- Incorporate cooked rice, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce into the skillet, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly. Allow the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes, melding the flavors together.
- Transfer the entire beef and rice mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out in an even layer.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese across the top of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the cheese becomes golden, melted, and slightly bubbly.
- Remove from oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to set and cool slightly.
Notes
- Create a low-carb version by replacing rice with cauliflower rice, reducing the carbohydrate content while maintaining the delicious flavor profile.
- Enhance meal prep by assembling the casserole ahead of time and refrigerating until ready to bake, making weeknight dinners super convenient.
- Consider using ground turkey or plant-based meat alternatives for a leaner protein option that caters to different dietary preferences and health goals.
- Boost nutritional value by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach to the beef mixture, increasing fiber and micronutrient content without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg