Description
This Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a delicious and hearty one-pan dish combining tender bell peppers, savory ground meat, rice, and cheesy goodness baked to perfection. It offers all the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers in a convenient casserole format, making it perfect for a family dinner or meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Protein and Dairy
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Pantry
- 1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
- 1 can (15 ounces) diced tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the bell peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Wash the bell peppers, cut them in half lengthwise, and remove the seeds and membranes. Set aside.
- Cook the meat and aromatics: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing until softened and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add the ground beef or turkey and cook until browned and no longer pink, breaking it up into crumbles.
- Add seasonings and rice: Stir in the Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Mix in the cooked rice and diced tomatoes (with their juice). Let the mixture simmer for 5 minutes to combine the flavors and slightly reduce any excess liquid.
- Assemble the casserole: Transfer the bell pepper halves to a baking dish, cut side up. Spoon the meat and rice mixture evenly into each pepper half. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese generously over the top of each stuffed pepper.
- Bake the casserole: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly. If desired, broil for the last 2 minutes to brown the cheese slightly but watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Serve: Remove from oven and garnish with freshly chopped parsley if using. Let cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your comforting stuffed bell pepper casserole!
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef depending on your preference.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a diced jalapeño to the meat mixture.
- Use brown rice for added fiber and nutrition, but cooking time stays the same since the rice is pre-cooked.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground meat substitute.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat in the oven or microwave.
