Description
A hearty and flavorful stuffed pepper casserole that combines ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in a savory tomato sauce, topped with melted Colby Jack cheese. This easy stovetop recipe captures the essence of classic stuffed peppers in a comforting, one-pot dish perfect for weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Meat and Oils
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
Vegetables and Aromatics
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 6 cloves garlic, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Fresh cracked pepper, to taste
Liquids and Sauces
- 1 (15 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can beef broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
Grains and Dairy
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 8 ounces shredded Colby Jack cheese
Garnish
- Fresh chopped parsley
Instructions
- Brown the Meat: Heat a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it apart with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked through. Once done, transfer the beef to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Reduce heat to medium and add olive oil to the same pan. Add diced onion, red bell pepper, green bell pepper, along with a few pinches of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
- Add Aromatics and Spices: Stir in minced garlic, Italian seasoning, cumin, paprika, and a couple pinches of salt and pepper. Cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- Incorporate Liquids and Rice: Add fire-roasted diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, beef broth, Worcestershire sauce, and uncooked long-grain white rice to the pan. Season again with salt and pepper. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat. Once simmering, reduce heat to low and cover the pan. Cook for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
- Top with Cheese and Broil: Sprinkle shredded Colby Jack cheese evenly over the rice mixture. Place the pan under the broiler for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly bubbly. Watch carefully to prevent burning.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove from heat, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for color and freshness, then serve warm to enjoy the comforting flavors.
- Leave Feedback: If you enjoyed this recipe, please leave a 5-star rating and review to help others discover this delicious stuffed pepper casserole.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Use brown rice; however, increase the simmer time by about 10 minutes and add extra broth as needed.
- Adjust the seasoning according to taste, especially salt and pepper.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
- Broiling the cheese is optional; you may also simply cover with cheese and allow it to melt on low heat.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
