Description
Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a hearty one-pan dish that combines all the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers—ground meat, bell peppers, rice, and tomato sauce—into an easy, comforting meal perfect for weeknights.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 2 bell peppers, diced (any color)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground meat until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add diced onion and garlic to the skillet and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened.
- Stir in diced bell peppers and cook for another 3–4 minutes until slightly tender.
- Add tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Stir until well combined and heated through.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared casserole dish and spread evenly.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.
- Remove foil, sprinkle shredded cheese on top, and return to oven for 10–15 more minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Use any bell pepper color you prefer—red adds sweetness, while green is more robust.Swap ground beef for turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for a lighter or vegetarian option.Add corn, black beans, or diced jalapeños for more flavor and texture.Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb variation.This casserole freezes well—cool completely, then wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 390
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 690mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 70mg