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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a toasty 375°F, creating the perfect environment for a hearty casserole.
- 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.
- Eliminate excess grease by draining the meat mixture, ensuring a lighter, cleaner dish.
- Introduce vibrant bell peppers and minced garlic to the skillet, allowing them to soften and release their aromatic essence for 3-4 minutes.
- 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.
- Generously crown the mixture with a blanket of shredded cheese, ensuring complete coverage for maximum melty goodness.
- Slide the skillet into the preheated oven, letting the ingredients meld and the cheese transform into a golden, bubbling masterpiece over 15-20 minutes.
- 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