Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a cozy, one-pot dinner that brings all the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers to the table with much less work. Tender rice, seasoned ground beef, colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, and plenty of melted cheese come together in one hearty skillet meal.

It is simple enough for a busy weeknight but satisfying enough for a family dinner, making it an easy comfort-food favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Big stuffed pepper flavor: Ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, Italian seasoning, and paprika create a rich, savory combination.
• Easy one-pot cooking: Everything simmers together, so cleanup is simple.
• Family-friendly: Mild, familiar ingredients make this a dinner that both kids and adults can enjoy.
• Cheesy and comforting: A generous layer of melted cheddar or mozzarella finishes the casserole beautifully.
• Flexible: Use ground turkey instead of beef, jasmine rice instead of long-grain rice, or your favorite shredded cheese.

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 2 bell peppers, any color, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (15 oz / 425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 cup uncooked white rice, long grain or jasmine
• 3 cups beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt, plus more to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

1. Brown the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Add the vegetables: Stir in the chopped bell peppers and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the peppers begin to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
3. Combine the ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, uncooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly so the rice is distributed throughout the mixture.
4. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar or mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover for 2–3 minutes, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese.
6. Serve: Spoon the casserole into bowls and serve warm. Add fresh chopped parsley on top if desired.

This Stuffed Pepper Casserole is best served hot while the cheese is still melted and gooey.

Tips & Tricks

• Choose the right rice: Long-grain white rice or jasmine rice works well. Avoid quick-cooking rice unless you adjust the liquid and cooking time according to the package directions.
• Cut peppers evenly: Similar-sized pieces cook more consistently and give every serving a good balance of vegetables.
• Watch the liquid: Different rice varieties can absorb different amounts of broth. If the rice needs more time but the skillet looks dry, add a small amount of additional broth.
• Season to taste: Taste near the end of cooking and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
• Try ground turkey: Ground turkey is a lighter alternative to ground beef and works especially well with the tomato and pepper mixture.
• Change the cheese: Cheddar gives the casserole a sharper flavor, while mozzarella creates a mild, stretchy topping.
• Let it rest: Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes before serving so the flavors settle and the mixture thickens slightly.
• Use a large skillet: The rice expands as it cooks, so make sure your pan has enough room for everything to simmer comfortably.

Details

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 servings
• Category: Dinner, Casserole
• Method: Stovetop, One-Pot
• Cuisine: American-inspired
• Difficulty: Easy
• Dietary Notes: Halal-friendly when halal-certified beef or turkey is used; contains dairy

Notes

For a leaner version, use ground turkey and a reduced-fat cheese. You can also add extra bell peppers for more vegetables or stir in a handful of chopped parsley before serving.

Serve with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or warm crusty bread. For extra flavor, a spoonful of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt can be added to individual portions.

If using beef broth, choose a halal-certified broth when needed. The same applies to packaged seasonings and cheese if following a strict halal diet.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per serving:

• Calories: 430
• Protein: 27 g
• Carbohydrates: 43 g
• Fat: 18 g

Nutrition values are estimates and can vary depending on the meat, cheese, broth, and specific brands used.

FAQ

Can I make Stuffed Pepper Casserole with ground turkey?

Yes. Ground turkey is an easy substitute for ground beef. Use the same amount and follow the recipe as written.

What type of rice works best in this casserole?

Long-grain white rice and jasmine rice are both good choices. They cook well in the tomato and broth mixture while maintaining a pleasant texture.

Can I use different colored bell peppers?

Absolutely. Green, red, yellow, and orange bell peppers can all be used. Combining different colors also makes the casserole especially attractive.

Can I make this casserole without cheese?

Yes. The cheese is a finishing ingredient, so you can simply leave it out. The tomato, pepper, meat, and rice mixture will still make a flavorful meal.

Why is my rice still hard?

Rice may need additional cooking time if the heat was too low, the pan was uncovered, or your particular rice variety absorbs liquid more slowly. Add a little extra broth, cover the pan, and continue simmering until tender.

Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?

Yes. Prepare the casserole, allow it to cool, and refrigerate it in an airtight container. Reheat individual portions or the entire dish until thoroughly hot.

Storage

Refrigerator: Let the casserole cool before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate for up to 3–4 days.

Freezer: Cool completely, then portion into freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2–3 months for the best quality.

Reheating: Thaw frozen portions in the refrigerator overnight when possible. Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop. Add a splash of broth or water if the rice has become dry.

Similar Recipes

• Baked Chicken and Zucchini Recipe
• Tuscan Chicken and Spaghetti Squash

Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines ground beef, bell peppers, rice, tomatoes, and cheese in one skillet.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Course Dinner, Casserole

Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb 450 g ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 medium onion diced
• 2 bell peppers any color, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 can 15 oz / 425 g diced tomatoes
• 1 can 15 oz / 425 g tomato sauce
• 1 cup uncooked white rice long grain or jasmine
• 3 cups beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 1 tsp paprika
• ½ tsp salt plus more to taste
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
• 2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions

 

• Brown the meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking the meat apart as it cooks, until browned and the onion is tender. Drain excess fat if necessary.
• Add the vegetables: Stir in the chopped bell peppers and minced garlic. Cook for 2–3 minutes, until the peppers begin to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
• Combine the ingredients: Add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, uncooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly so the rice is distributed throughout the mixture.
• Simmer: Bring the mixture to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20–25 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
• Add the cheese: Remove the skillet from the heat and sprinkle the shredded cheddar or mozzarella evenly over the top. Cover for 2–3 minutes, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese.
• Serve: Spoon the casserole into bowls and serve warm. Add fresh chopped parsley on top if desired

Notes

For a leaner version, use ground turkey and a reduced-fat cheese. You can also add extra bell peppers for more vegetables or stir in a handful of chopped parsley before serving.

Serve with a simple green salad, steamed vegetables, or warm crusty bread. For extra flavor, a spoonful of sour cream or plain Greek yogurt can be added to individual portions.

If using beef broth, choose a halal-certified broth when needed. The same applies to packaged seasonings and cheese if following a strict halal diet.

Conclusion

Stuffed Pepper Casserole makes classic stuffed pepper flavors much easier to enjoy on a busy night. With savory ground meat, tender rice, sweet bell peppers, tomato sauce, and melted cheese, it delivers a warm and satisfying meal from one pan.

Whether you make it with ground beef or turkey, this simple casserole is an easy recipe to keep in your weeknight dinner rotation.