The Best Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe For Dinner Tonight

Crafting a mouthwatering easy stuffed pepper casserole can revolutionize your weeknight dinner routine with minimal effort.

Peppers burst with vibrant colors and robust flavors in this simplified one-pan masterpiece.

Home cooks appreciate shortcuts that don’t compromise taste or nutrition.

Comfort meets convenience through layers of seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese.

Mediterranean and Tex-Mex influences merge beautifully in this adaptable dish.

Spice levels become completely customizable, welcoming everyone’s palate preferences.

Your kitchen will soon smell incredible, promising a delightful meal that sparks conversation and satisfies hunger.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Yes! Ground turkey is a great lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this casserole. Just make sure to drain any excess liquid after cooking.

• Do I need to pre-cook the rice?

No, you can use leftover cooked rice or quick-cooking rice. If using uncooked rice, you’ll need to adjust the liquid and cooking time to ensure the rice gets fully cooked.

• How can I make this casserole spicier?

Add some diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture for extra heat. You can also use pepper jack cheese instead of regular shredded cheese.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use gluten-free rice and check that your tomato sauce and seasonings are gluten-free. Always verify ingredient labels if you have dietary restrictions.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole That’s Hearty and Easy

• Simplify Stuffing Process: Skip traditional pepper-stuffing complexity and enjoy a deconstructed casserole that delivers the same delicious flavors with minimal effort.
• Quick Family Meal Solution: Prepare this one-pan wonder in under 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights when hunger strikes and time is limited.
• Customizable Comfort Food: Swap ground beef for turkey, adjust cheese types, or add extra vegetables to personalize this adaptable dish that suits different dietary preferences.
• Budget-Friendly Dinner Option: Use affordable ingredients like ground meat, canned tomatoes, and pantry staples to create a satisfying meal that feeds a crowd without breaking the bank.

Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Ingredient Rundown

• Ground Beef: Rich protein source that forms the hearty base of the casserole, preferably lean for less fat content.
• Onion: Adds depth of flavor and aromatic base to the meat mixture, choose fresh and firm onions.

• Bell Peppers: Provides sweet and colorful texture, select firm and vibrant peppers for best results.
• Garlic: Delivers robust flavor and aromatic complexity, fresh minced garlic works best.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture and tangy flavor to the casserole, canned options are convenient.
• Tomato Sauce: Creates smooth, rich base sauce for binding ingredients, choose traditional or no-salt-added varieties.

• Cooked Rice: Serves as a filling starch that helps bind the casserole together, white or brown rice work well.
• Italian Seasoning: Provides herb-based flavor profile, a pre-mixed blend offers convenience.
• Salt: Enhances overall taste and balances flavors.
• Black Pepper: Adds subtle heat and complexity to the dish.
• Shredded Cheese: Creates melty, golden topping that adds richness and appeal, cheddar or Mexican blend recommended.
• Olive Oil: Used for initial cooking and preventing sticking, extra virgin provides best flavor.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Instructions for Quick Prep

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F, getting ready for some serious comfort food action.

Step 2: Brown the Beef and Onions

Splash olive oil into a large oven-safe skillet.

• Ground beef
• Chopped onions

Sizzle and cook until the beef turns a beautiful golden brown and onions become see-through.

Dump out any extra grease.

Step 3: Add Colorful Peppers and Garlic

• Diced bell peppers
• Minced garlic

Let them dance around the pan for 3-4 minutes until peppers start to soften and become tender.

Step 4: Create the Flavor Base

• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Cooked rice
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Mix everything together until well combined.

Step 5: Cheese Blanket Time

Shower the top generously with shredded cheese, creating a melty golden layer.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the skillet into the hot oven.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until the cheese transforms into a bubbly, golden treasure.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Let the casserole cool for a few minutes.

Scoop out generous portions and enjoy the delicious pepper party!

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Tips for a No-Fuss Bake

• Opt for 90/10 or 93/7 ground beef to reduce excess fat without sacrificing flavor, ensuring a healthier casserole.
• Swap white rice for brown rice or quinoa to boost nutritional value and add a nutty, hearty texture to the dish.
• Roast bell peppers before adding them to intensify their natural sweetness and create a deeper, more complex taste profile.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or black beans for a delicious meatless version that's packed with protein.
• Adjust the heat by adding diced jalapeños, red pepper flakes, or a splash of hot sauce to suit individual spice preferences.

Chill Stuffed Pepper Casserole Leftovers

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking, keeping the casserole fresh for 3-4 days in the refrigerator.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container, seal tightly, and freeze for up to 3 months to enjoy later.
• Preheat oven to 350°F, cover dish with foil to prevent drying, and warm for 15-20 minutes until heated thoroughly.
• Place individual portions in a microwave-safe dish, cover with a damp paper towel, and heat in 1-minute intervals, stirring between each interval for even warming.

Sides That Match Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Pair with Robust Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied red like Zinfandel or Chianti that complements the rich, meaty flavors of the casserole and cuts through the cheesy goodness.
• Serve with Fresh Green Salad: Create a crisp contrast by adding a light mixed green salad with a tangy vinaigrette to balance the hearty casserole and refresh your palate.
• Complement with Crusty Garlic Bread: Grab a warm, crusty baguette or garlic bread to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and add a satisfying crunch to your meal.
• Enhance with Chilled Cucumber Tzatziki: Prepare a cool, creamy tzatziki side that provides a refreshing counterpoint to the warm, spicy casserole and adds a Mediterranean touch.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Flex Recipes

• Vegetarian Delight: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a protein-rich meatless version.
• Low-Carb Option: Swap rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates and add extra vegetable nutrition.
• Spicy Southwest Style: Add jalapeños, swap Italian seasoning for chili powder, and use pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Gluten-Free Adaptation: Ensure all ingredients are certified gluten-free and use gluten-free rice or quinoa as the base grain.

Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

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4.8 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Hearty Southwestern Stuffed Pepper Casserole brings bold flavors and comforting textures to your dinner table. Simple layers of seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese create a satisfying meal packed with zesty Mexican-inspired spices you’ll crave.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Protein and Meat:

• 1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 bell peppers (any color), diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced

Pantry and Dairy Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 ounces/425 grams) diced tomatoes
• 1 can (8 ounces/227 grams) tomato sauce
• 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect environment for a hearty casserole.
2. In a spacious skillet, sizzle ground beef and diced onions together, transforming the meat from raw to beautifully browned while rendering the onions translucent and fragrant.
3. Eliminate excess grease by draining the meat mixture, ensuring a lighter, cleaner dish.
4. Introduce vibrant bell peppers and minced garlic to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for 3-4 minutes.
5. Combine the meat mixture with juicy diced tomatoes, rich tomato sauce, fluffy cooked rice, and a harmonious blend of Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper, creating a robust and flavorful base.
6. Generously crown the mixture with a blanket of shredded cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melty goodness.
7. Slide the skillet into the preheated oven, letting the ingredients meld and the cheese transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece over 15-20 minutes.
8. Remove from the oven and allow the casserole to rest briefly, letting the flavors settle and making it easier to serve without burning.

Notes

• Customize the heat by choosing different pepper varieties like spicy jalapeños or sweet mini peppers for unique flavor profiles.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, leaner, or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• For added nutrition, mix in extra vegetables like zucchini, spinach, or mushrooms during the cooking process to boost vitamins and fiber.
• Control sodium levels by using low-sodium tomato sauce and reducing added salt, making the dish more heart-healthy and suitable for restricted diets.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg