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Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe for Busy Nights

Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole

A hearty one-pan dinner combining ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, rice, and melted cheese in a savory tomato broth. This comforting casserole serves 4–6 people and is ready in about 45–55 minutes.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 1 pound Lean ground beef
  • 1 small Small yellow onion, diced
  • 2 cloves Garlic, minced
  • 3 bell peppers Bell peppers, diced
  • 1 14–15-ounce can Diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 8-ounce can Tomato sauce
  • 2 cups Low-sodium beef broth
  • 1 cup Uncooked long-grain white rice
Seasonings
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Topping
  • 1 cup Shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese

Method
 

Step-by-Step
  1. Heat the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and diced onion, then cook for 5–7 minutes while breaking the meat into small pieces, until the beef is browned and the onion is softened; drain excess fat if needed.
  2. Stir in the minced garlic and diced bell peppers. Cook for 2–3 minutes, just until the garlic is fragrant and the peppers begin to soften while still retaining some color.
  3. Add the undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, uncooked rice, Italian seasoning, Worcestershire sauce, kosher salt, and black pepper. Stir thoroughly so the rice is distributed through the liquid and the seasonings coat the beef and vegetables.
  4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet tightly and simmer for 18–22 minutes, stirring once or twice to keep the rice from sticking and to help it cook evenly.
  5. Remove the lid and check the rice for tenderness. Most of the liquid should be absorbed; if the rice needs a little more time, replace the lid and continue cooking briefly until tender.
  6. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack evenly over the casserole. Cover for 1–2 minutes until the cheese melts, or place the ovenproof skillet under a broiler briefly until the cheese is bubbly.
  7. Let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving. This short rest allows the rice to absorb remaining liquid and helps the casserole firm up for neat, generous portions.

Notes

Use a large skillet with a tight-fitting lid so the uncooked rice steams evenly. Ground turkey or chicken may replace the beef. For cooked rice, use about 1/2 cup broth and simmer only until the ingredients are hot. Brown rice needs different liquid and cooking adjustments and should not be substituted at the same quantity without changing the method.