Description
Mexican-inspired stuffed pepper casserole combines hearty ingredients for a comforting meal. Layers of rice, ground beef, peppers, and cheese create a satisfying dinner you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Grains and Vegetables:
- 1 cup uncooked rice
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasoning and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 can (14.5 ounces or 411 grams) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 ounces or 425 grams) tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a casserole dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Sauté diced onions in olive oil over medium heat until they become translucent and fragrant, approximately 3-4 minutes.
- Introduce ground meat to the skillet, breaking it into crumbly pieces and cooking until completely browned and no pink remains.
- Incorporate minced garlic and bell peppers, stirring frequently and allowing vegetables to soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Fold in uncooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, and season with oregano, basil, salt, and black pepper, creating a rich and complex flavor profile.
- Allow the mixture to simmer gently, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly combined and heated through.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared casserole dish, spreading evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 45 minutes, enabling the rice to absorb liquid and become tender.
- Remove foil and generously sprinkle cheddar and mozzarella cheese across the surface, creating a molten cheese topping.
- Return to the oven uncovered for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing cheese to melt completely and develop a golden, bubbling crust.
- Finish by garnishing with fresh chopped parsley and serve immediately while hot and inviting.
Notes
- Make it spicy by adding jalapeños or red pepper flakes for an extra kick of heat.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or lentils for a vegetarian version that’s packed with protein.
- Use brown rice or quinoa instead of white rice to boost nutritional value and create a heartier texture.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 310 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 480 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg