Description
A comforting and flavorful unstuffed peppers recipe that captures all the deliciousness of traditional stuffed peppers without the hassle of filling each pepper. Ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes are simmered together with fragrant spices, then topped with melted cheddar and fresh parsley for a satisfying one-pot meal.
Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 green bell peppers, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
Spices and Seasonings
- 4 teaspoons oregano, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
Other Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 15 ounce canned diced tomatoes
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the ground beef and vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped green peppers, chopped onion, minced garlic, 3 teaspoons of oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and black pepper. Cook for 7-10 minutes or until the beef is browned and the vegetables have softened.
- Add tomato paste and rice: Stir in the tomato paste and sauté for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is well combined and fragrant. Then add the uncooked rice, canned diced tomatoes, remaining 1 teaspoon oregano, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, and ½ cup water. Stir everything to combine thoroughly.
- Simmer the mixture: Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and simmer for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook fully and absorb the flavors.
- Rest and fluff: Remove the pot from heat but keep it covered for an additional 5-10 minutes. After resting, fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the unstuffed pepper mixture into bowls and garnish with shredded cheddar cheese and chopped fresh parsley. Serve warm and enjoy your hearty, delicious meal.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils or plant-based crumbles.
- You can use brown rice instead of white rice, but cooking time may increase.
- Add a dash of red pepper flakes if you prefer a bit of heat.
- Make sure to keep the pot covered during simmering for best results.
- This dish can be reheated well and is great for meal prep.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
