Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe (aka Unstuffed Peppers) (2024)

Published: Sep 17, 2023 · Modified: Dec 1, 2023 by Faith · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

With ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and cheese, this flavorful stuffed pepper casserole recipe is a hearty, cozy, and satisfying dinner that the whole family will love.

Stuffed peppers are pretty easy in their own right, but this stuffed pepper casserole is even easier.

For this weeknight dinner recipe, we brown ground beef and sauté bell peppers. Then we add a few herbs and spices, aromatic vegetables, canned fire-roasted tomatoes, rice, and broth, and let it do its thing. Once the rice is cooked and fluffed, we melt a little bit of cheese on top.

So simple, and sooo good!

Unstuffed peppers has the same flavor as stuffed peppers, but with much less work. I've also heard this dish called lazy stuffed peppers and lazy or not, it gets the job done, lol!

This cozy skillet supper is a meal that the whole family will enjoy. (Beef, rice, cheese, yes!) And it's pretty economical as well because we're getting 6 servings out of 1 pound of ground beef.

As a bonus, you're going to love the fact that we only use 1 skillet for this whole meal, so cleanup is minimal!

The Best Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

Ingredients in Unstuffed Peppers

In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas. For the full recipe (including ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.

• Extra-virgin olive oil - to cook the beef and vegetables
• Ground beef - use 90% or leaner ground beef for this recipe
• Onion, bell peppers, and garlic - these vegetables add flavor and nutrition, and help make this a full meal
• Canned fire-roasted tomatoes - don't drain off the juices before adding
• Beef stock - or vegetable stock or water
• Long grain white rice - regular long-grain white rice works perfectly here; don't use brown rice or instant rice because it'll change both the liquid:rice ratio, and alter the cooking time
• Worcestershire sauce - this savory condiment pairs well with the flavor of beef, and adds delicious umami depth
• Dried Italian herb seasoning - this savory herb blend adds a ton of flavor
• Salt and black pepper - to season this recipe
• Smoked paprika - for a hint of smoky flavor to accentuate the fire-roasted tomatoes
• Monterey Jack cheese - or you can use white cheddar cheese (or a mix of both); for the best flavor, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself
• Parsley - this is an optional garnish that adds a pop of color

How to Make Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Casserole in a Skillet

1. Add the oil to a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the ground beef and onion, and cook 5 minutes, using a wooden spoon to break apart the meat.
2. Add the bell peppers and garlic, and cook until the vegetables are starting to soften and the meat is fully browned, about 3 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
3. Add the fire-roasted tomatoes (with juices), rice, Worcestershire sauce, dried Italian herb seasoning, salt, black pepper, and smoked paprika.
4. Add the beef stock, and give it a stir.

1. Bring the mixture up to a boil.
2. Cover the skillet, turn the heat down to low, and cook until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 15 to 25 minutes.
3. Turn off the heat and let it sit (covered) for 10 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork, and then sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly across the top.
4. Cover the skillet again, and let it sit for 5 minutes to melt the cheese. Sprinkle the parsley on top and serve.

Variations

• Use any color of bell peppers that you like.
• Swap out the ground beef for ground turkey or ground chicken.
• If you have fresh herbs on hand (such as rosemary, thyme, oregano, and/or basil), you can use up to 3 tablespoons of minced fresh herbs instead of the dried Italian herb seasoning.

Storage

Once it's cooled, you can store leftovers covered in the fridge for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe FAQs

Do I Have to Drain the Fat Off Ground Beef After Browning?

That depends on how much fat is in your ground beef! For this recipe, I like to use 90% lean (or leaner) ground beef so there's no need to drain off the fat.

Can I Make a Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Cauliflower Rice?

Yes! You can easily cut out a significant amount of carbs in this meal by making it with cauliflower rice instead of regular rice. And bonus, it cooks faster too!

To make this stuffed pepper skillet with cauliflower rice, omit the rice and beef stock. Add about 5 cups of riced cauliflower at the same time that you add the canned tomatoes, and cook (uncovered, stirring occasionally) until the cauliflower is tender and the liquid is evaporated off, about 3 to 5 minutes.

Not only does this reduce the carbs, but it adds another vegetable. And it's still a hearty, satisfying meal!

Can I Cook This Casserole in the Oven Instead of on the Stovetop?

Yes, you can make this stuffed pepper casserole in the oven instead of on the stovetop.

To make this unstuffed peppers recipe in the oven, you can use a cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven, or 9 by 13-inch baking dish.

Follow the recipe as written, except when you get to the point of covering the skillet and cooking on the stovetop. At that point, bake the casserole (covered with foil) at 375F until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed, about 45 minutes.

More Easy Ground Beef Dinners to Make

• Crockpot Enchiladas (Ground Beef Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole)
• 30-Minute Ground Beef Stroganoff
• Instant Pot Beef American Goulash
• 30-Minute Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls

Let's Connect

Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below. You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media.

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