The Ultimate Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe Everyone Loves

Crafting a delightful stuffed pepper casserole brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Layers of vibrant bell peppers mingle with seasoned ground beef and fluffy rice.

Melted cheese creates a golden, bubbling crust that promises pure satisfaction.

Each forkful delivers a perfect blend of textures and robust flavors.

Weeknight meals just got a serious upgrade with this hearty dish.

Spices dance through the casserole, creating a melody of southwestern-inspired goodness.

You’ll want to bookmark this recipe for future cozy evenings.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Absolutely! Ground turkey is a lean, healthy alternative that works perfectly in this casserole and provides a similar texture and flavor profile.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, if you use gluten-free beef broth and ensure all other ingredients are certified gluten-free. The basic recipe naturally contains no gluten-containing ingredients.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, diced jalapeños, or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture before baking. These will increase the heat level without changing the core recipe.

Why Stuffed Pepper Casserole Is a Hearty Meal

• Simplify Stuffed Peppers: Skip the complex stuffing process and transform traditional stuffed peppers into an easy, delicious casserole that saves time and effort.
• One-Pot Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup with this single-pan meal that combines protein, vegetables, and grains in one comforting dish perfect for busy families.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for ground turkey, add different cheese varieties, or include extra vegetables to make this recipe your own personal favorite.
• Family-Friendly Feast: Kids and adults will love the familiar flavors of bell peppers, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, making this a crowd-pleasing meal that satisfies everyone at the table.

Key Ingredients That Make This Casserole Special

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the casserole.

• Onion, Bell Peppers, Garlic: These aromatic vegetables add depth, sweetness, and robust flavor to the dish.

• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce, Beef Broth: These ingredients create a moist and flavorful base for the casserole.
• Uncooked Rice: A filling grain that absorbs the delicious cooking liquid and becomes tender during baking.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: These classic spices enhance and balance the overall taste of the casserole.

• Mozzarella Cheese: A melty, creamy topping that adds a golden and appetizing finish to the dish.

• Foil: Used to cover the casserole during initial baking to keep moisture.
• Cooking Spray or Oil: Helps prevent sticking and ensures easy removal from the baking dish.

How to Assemble and Bake Stuffed Peppers to Perfection

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 350F (175C) and get ready for a delicious meal.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Grab a large skillet and sizzle the ground beef over medium heat.

Drain away any excess fat for a leaner dish.

Step 3: Sauté The Vegetables

• Diced onion
• Minced garlic
• Chopped bell peppers

Cook until the veggies become soft and fragrant.

Step 4: Create The Flavor Base

• Uncooked rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Beef broth

Sprinkle in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to bring the flavors to life.

Step 5: Prepare The Casserole Dish

Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Step 6: Initial Baking

Cover the dish with foil and slide it into the preheated oven. Bake for 40-45 minutes until the rice is perfectly cooked through.

Step 7: Add The Cheesy Topping

Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Return to the oven uncovered and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly blanket.

Step 8: Serve And Savor

Pull out the casserole and serve it piping hot. Dig in and enjoy every delicious bite!

Tips for Flavorful Filling and Balanced Baking

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Choose different colored bell peppers to make the dish more vibrant and visually appealing.
• Cook rice separately first to ensure perfect texture and prevent potential undercooked grains in the casserole.
• Add fresh herbs like parsley or basil on top just before serving to boost flavor and freshness.
• Prepare this casserole ahead of time and refrigerate, allowing flavors to meld together before baking for more intense taste.

Flavor Twists to Try for Variety

• Vegetarian Bell Pepper Bake: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or cooked lentils for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Mediterranean Style Casserole: Swap Italian seasoning for oregano, add feta cheese, and include kalamata olives for a Greek-inspired flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Cauliflower Alternative: Substitute rice with riced cauliflower to reduce carbohydrates and create a keto-friendly meal option.
• Spicy Southwestern Pepper Casserole: Incorporate ground turkey, add black beans, use pepper jack cheese, and season with cumin and chili powder for a zesty southwestern kick.

Suggested Sides to Pair with Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Cozy Family Dinner Night: Transform this casserole into a hearty family meal with warm garlic bread and a crisp green salad on the side, creating a complete and satisfying dinner experience.
• Meal Prep Magic: Portion the casserole into individual containers for easy grab-and-go lunches during the week, perfect for busy professionals and students looking for quick, delicious meals.
• Potluck Party Pleaser: Bring this crowd-pleasing dish to gatherings or potlucks, where its comforting flavors and cheesy top will make you the star of the event, guaranteed to impress friends and family.
• Mexican-Inspired Twist: Top the casserole with fresh cilantro, diced avocado, and a dollop of sour cream to give it a zesty southwestern flair that adds extra excitement to the classic recipe.

Storage Tips to Maintain Freshness

• Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking to maintain freshness and prevent bacterial growth.
• Store stuffed pepper casserole in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days, keeping the container sealed tight to preserve flavor and texture.
• Keep the casserole in a shallow container to help it cool quickly and evenly before refrigerating.

Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired stuffed pepper casserole blends hearty ground beef, rice, and bell peppers in a comforting one-dish meal. Melted cheese and zesty seasonings create a delicious dinner you’ll want to savor with family and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound (454 grams) ground beef
• 1 cup uncooked white rice
• 3 bell peppers (chopped)
• 1 onion (diced)
• 1 12 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Sauce and Liquid Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces or 227 grams) tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth

Seasonings:

• 2 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for the casserole baking process.
2. Heat a large skillet and thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat to prevent sogginess.
3. Incorporate finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers into the beef, sautéing until the vegetables become soft and fragrant.
4. Introduce uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and beef broth to the skillet, seasoning the mixture generously with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper for robust flavor.
5. Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish, spreading it evenly to ensure consistent cooking.
6. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 40-45 minutes, allowing the rice to absorb the liquid and become perfectly tender.
7. Uncover the casserole and generously sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese across the top, returning it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer.
8. Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and make cutting easier.

Notes

• Prep rice carefully to prevent mushiness by using slightly less liquid than package instructions recommend.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for lighter, healthier alternatives that maintain similar flavor profiles.
• Consider using brown rice for added nutritional value and nutty texture, which might require slightly longer cooking time.
• Enhance meal’s versatility by adding extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach for increased nutrients and more complex flavor layers.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 55 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 367 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 540 mg
• Fat: 19 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 24 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 27 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg