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Easy One-Pot Unstuffed Peppers Recipe

A comforting skillet meal made with ground beef, colorful bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, and Italian seasonings. It has all the cozy flavor of stuffed peppers in a simple one-pot format.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 27 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef or ground turkey
  • 1 medium Medium yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic cloves, minced
  • 3 peppers Bell peppers, seeded and diced
  • 1 14–15 ounce can Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 8 ounce can Tomato sauce
  • 1 cup Beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 cup Uncooked long-grain white rice
Seasonings
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon Paprika, optional
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Toppings
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar or mozzarella
  • 1–2 tablespoons Chopped parsley, optional

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook for 5–7 minutes, breaking it into small pieces, until no longer pink; drain excess fat if necessary.
  2. Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the browned meat. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion begins to soften.
  3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds, just until fragrant. Avoid cooking it too long so it does not become bitter.
  4. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly to combine the sauce and seasonings.
  5. Stir in the uncooked long-grain white rice and bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Make sure the rice is distributed throughout the liquid rather than sitting in one clump.
  6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the skillet tightly, and simmer for 18–22 minutes, or until the rice is tender. Stir once or twice if needed, but keep the pan covered as much as possible so the steam remains inside.
  7. Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand, covered, for 5 minutes. Taste the mixture and adjust the salt or pepper before serving.
  8. Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top, cover for 1–2 minutes until melted, and finish with chopped parsley. Serve hot directly from the skillet.

Notes

Use regular long-grain white rice for the stated 18–22-minute simmer. Brown rice, parboiled rice, and instant rice require different cooking times and liquid amounts. If the mixture becomes thick before the rice is tender, add warm broth 1/4 cup at a time. If it is too loose after the rice is cooked, simmer uncovered for a few minutes. Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container and reheat gently with a splash of broth.