Description
Hearty Pioneer Woman stuffed pepper casserole delivers classic comfort with ground beef, bell peppers, and melted cheese. Home cooks savor this one-pan meal that brings family together with simple, satisfying ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
Vegetables:
- 3 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Grains and Liquid Base:
- 1 cup white rice
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Seasonings:
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F, creating an ideal environment for baking the casserole.
- Prepare rice according to package instructions, ensuring grains are fluffy and tender.
- In a large skillet, sauté ground beef with diced onions, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers until meat is thoroughly browned and vegetables are softened.
- Pour canned tomatoes and beef broth into the skillet, adding selected seasonings to enhance the flavor profile of the mixture.
- Allow the beef mixture to simmer, allowing ingredients to meld and develop rich, complex tastes.
- Fold cooked rice into the skillet, blending thoroughly with the beef mixture.
- Sprinkle half the cheese into the mixture, stirring to distribute evenly and create a creamy texture.
- Transfer the entire mixture to a prepared baking dish, spreading it out for consistent cooking.
- Generously top the casserole with remaining cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden, bubbly surface that indicates perfect doneness.
Notes
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version that still delivers amazing flavor.
- Customize the heat level by adding diced jalapeños or red pepper flakes to the meat mixture for spice lovers.
- Experiment with different cheese blends like pepper jack or monterey jack to create unique taste profiles and keep the dish exciting.
- Prepare the casserole ahead of time and refrigerate before baking, which allows flavors to meld and makes weeknight dinner prep super easy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 65 mg