Description
Hearty stuffed pepper casserole brings comfort from pioneer kitchens with ground beef and classic bell pepper flavors. Home cooks savor this simple, satisfying one-dish meal that delivers rich southwestern comfort on your dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables:
- 3 bell peppers (green, red, yellow), chopped
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Grains and Cheese:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
Sauce and Seasonings:
- 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a moderate 350°F (175°C) to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- In a large skillet, sear the ground beef with finely chopped onions and minced garlic, ensuring the meat browns evenly and thoroughly. Eliminate any accumulated grease through careful draining.
- Incorporate diced bell peppers into the meat mixture, sautéing until the vegetables soften and release their aromatic flavors.
- Blend tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and pre-cooked rice into the skillet, creating a rich and hearty base. Enhance the mixture with carefully measured salt, ground black pepper, and a sprinkle of Italian seasoning for depth of flavor.
- Transfer the robust mixture into a spacious casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Generously crown the casserole with a luxurious layer of shredded cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling crust.
- After removing from the oven, allow the casserole to rest for 3-5 minutes, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian version.
- Choose different colored bell peppers to make the casserole visually vibrant and boost nutritional variety.
- Opt for brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice to increase fiber and nutrients in the dish.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to make weeknight cooking faster and more convenient, reducing overall kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg