Indulge in our Stuffed Pepper Casserole that seamlessly combines the rich flavors of classic stuffed peppers with the convenience of a one-pan skillet. Sautéed ground beef or turkey, vibrant bell peppers, and aromatic onions meld together in taste and texture. This skillet sensation is a comforting and hearty meal that your family will love.
Having quick and easy meal ideas on hand is necessary for busy families seeking convenience without sacrificing flavor and nutrition.
By maintaining a collection of recipes, you can effortlessly whip up satisfying meals even on the most hectic days. Whether it is this stuffed pepper casserole recipe or one of our 80 Sheet Pan Meals, having a selection of go-to meals eliminates the stress of dinnertime.
Easy meal ideas also empower you to make healthier food choices and provide your family with the nutrients they need. This stuffed bell pepper casserole, while simple, is packed with protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals.
It is a prime example that when equipped to navigate the busy days, you can still enjoy a home-cooked meal. Keep scrolling for step-by-step instructions, easy ingredient swaps, recipe tips and answers to the most frequently asked questions!
We are excited to partner with Pick ‘n Save/Metro Market, a store we’ve proudly supported for years. Their Kroger and Simple Truth brands ensure quality and savings, adding an extra layer of assurance for families. Create Kids Club values wholesome choices and delicious meals, and our collaboration creates an ideal platform for affordable, quality living.
Table of Contents
Ingredients & Variations
- Ground beef – if you’re looking for a leaner option, ground turkey or chicken can be a substitute for the beef. Crumbled tofu or cooked lentils can also be seasoned and used for vegetarian alternatives.
- Seasoning – the combination of onion, garlic, Worchestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper adds a dynamic flavor profile that is also kid-friendly. For a spicier version, consider adding 1/2 tablespoon of red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder or a few splashes of hot sauce.
- Bell peppers – we used a green, yellow, and red pepper to add color to the dish; however, you can also use three peppers of the same color.
- Chicken broth – swap with vegetable or beef broth if needed.
- Diced tomatoes – petite diced are a suitable option if a less chunky texture is desired. This is a great choice for picky eaters than may be hesitant to try dishes with regular diced tomatoes.
- Tomato sauce – marinara sauce is similar to tomato sauce and can be swapped if in a pinch.
- Uncooked long grain brown rice – uncooked white rice is another option or you can do half brown and half white rice to add additional flavor to the dish. We recommend a basmati, jasmine or another long-grain white rice.
- Shredded cheddar cheese – If you’re looking for alternatives to mild cheddar cheese, consider Monterey jack, Colby jack, sharp cheddar, Pepper jack, mozzarella or a blend of cheeses.
How To Make
In a large skillet add the ground beef and onions. Using a spatula, carefully break up the meat into large chunks. Let the chunks of beef cook for approximately 1 minute. Then, break the chunks into smaller pieces and let cook for approximately 1 minute. Repeat the process of alternating between breaking up the ground beef and cooking for 1 minute until the ground beef is no longer pink.
Add the garlic, Worchestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Stir well.
Then, to the beef mixture, add the peppers, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rice. Bring to a boil then turn down to low heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes (if using long grain rice).
Long grain rice will take longer to absorb the liquid and fully cook. If looking to speed up this recipe, opt for an uncooked short grain rice variety such as arborio rice. Stir every 15 minutes.
Add the shredded cheese then cover and let it melt. Serve hot.
Recipe Tips and Tricks
- Control the Heat: When browning the meat and sautéing the onions, make sure your heat is medium-high, but don’t let it get too high to avoid burning. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Garlic Timing: Garlic can burn easily, so add it towards the end of sautéing the onions. It only needs about a minute to become fragrant. You can also swap the 3 garlic cloves for 3/8 teaspoon of garlic powder.
- Use Crushed Tomatoes: Instead of diced tomatoes, consider using crushed tomatoes for a smoother casserole consistency. You can also blend the diced tomatoes if you prefer a smoother texture or have kids that insist on picking out each chunk of tomato.
- Simmer Slowly: Once you’ve added the peppers, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rice, bring the mixture to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer gently. This allows the flavors to develop and gives the rice time to absorb all the liquid.
- Garnish Creatively: Consider adding other toppings besides cheese. Chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or parsley, a dollop of sour cream, sliced green onions or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes can all enhance the flavor and presentation of the casserole.
What To Serve with Stuffed Peppers
This stuffed bell pepper casserole is a versatile dish that has all the components to make it a complete meal.
To take this meal to the next level, consider any of these side dishes:
- Salad – A light and refreshing salad can complement the richness of the stuffed peppers. Choose a salad with a vinaigrette, a Caesar salad or even a side of coleslaw.
- Garlic bread – crusty garlic bread or dinner rolls are a classic choice that adds another savory flavor.
- Rice or quinoa – add another scoop of rice or quinoa to your plate, especially for growing tweens or teens that need a hearty meal.
- Vegetables – veggies such as roasted carrots, sauteed zucchini or air fried asparagus can be a delicious and healthy accompaniment to stuffed pepper recipes.
- Salsa, Pico or Guacamole – give this recipe a southwestern flair by adding a scoop of salsa, fresh Pico de Gallo or homemade guacamole to your plate.
- Fruit salad – if a leafy green salad isn’t appetizing then choose a fresh fruit salad. It balances the richness of the peppers and adds a sweet flavor to the meal.
Frequently Asked Questions
This casserole is basically deconstructed stuffed peppers. It contains ground meat, rice, bell peppers, tomatoes and seasonings before it is baked and topped with cheese. If you have kids like ours that love to dump all the contents of stuffed peppers on their plate and place the whole bell pepper to the side, this dish is for you!
Yes! Simply omit the cheddar cheese layer and serve without cheese or a dairy-free alternative.
Yes! You can prepare the components of the casserole ahead of time such as browning the ground beef, chopping the bell peppers and combining the seasonings. When ready to bake, assemble and bake as directed.
Yes! You can make a low carb version by substituting the rice with cauliflower rice or omitting it altogether. To prevent a soupy casserole, omit the chicken broth if removing the rice or using an alternative.
If you have a kiddo at home that is begging to chop the veggies or if you are looking to level up your knife skills, follow the step by step instructions on How To Cut A Bell Pepper.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
This easy stuffed pepper casserole is a wonderful meal prep recipe. Making a full batch allows you to serve for dinner then store the leftovers either in the fridge or freezer.
- Transfer the cooled leftovers into a container then store for up to 3 days in the fridge.
- Kids can pack in a thermos for school, parents can enjoy as a work from home lunch, or it can be reheated for dinner.
- For a freezer meal, portion into shallow containers to easily reheat individual servings or toss into a large container for a bulk portion. Store in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- From the fridge, reheat in a microwave safe bowl in 30-second increments or toss in a preheated oven until hot. You can add a new layer of cheese if desired.
- Thaw frozen casserole in the fridge overnight then microwave or place in a preheated oven to reheat until warmed through.
Kids In The Kitchen
Cooking tips and suggestions for kids making this recipe.
- “Cooking until browned” means to cook meat until there is no pink. Chopping into small chunks, letting simmer, stirring then repeating until fully cooked is the best method for browning ground meat.
- Ask to add a variety of bell pepper colors – red, yellow, orange, green, purple – to the casserole for more color and nutrition.
- Carefully chop the bell peppers roughly the same size before cooking. Need help learning the best way to cut a bell pepper? Our bell pepper guide gives step-by-step instructions.
More Bell Pepper Recipes
- Stuffed Pepper Soup (Crockpot)
- Stuffed Pepper Soup with Sausage
- 15-Minute Sautéed Bell Peppers
- Instant Pot Chicken Fajitas
- Chicken Sausage Skillet
CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.
The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- large skillet with lid
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tablespoons Worchestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 3 bell peppers chopped We used green, yellow, and red
- 2 cups chicken broth
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 8 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 cup uncooked long grain brown rice
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Cook the beef. In a large skillet add the ground beef and onions. Cook stiring occationally until browned. Add the garlic, Worchestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper. Sitr well.
- Add the other ingredients. To the beef mixture add the peppers, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and rice. Bring to a boil then turn down to low heat, cover, and cook for 45 minutes (if using long grain rice). Stir every 15 minutes.
- Add cheese then serve. Add the shredded cheese then cover and let it melt. Serve hot.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- Salad – A light and refreshing salad can complement the richness of the stuffed peppers. Choose a salad with a vinaigrette, a Caesar salad or even a side of coleslaw.
- Garlic bread – crusty garlic bread or dinner rolls is a classic choice that adds another savory flavor.
- Rice or quinoa – add another scoop of rice or quinoa to your plate, especially for growing tweens or teens that need a hearty meal.
- Vegetables – veggies such as roasted carrots, sauteed zucchini or air fried asparagus can be a delicious and healthy accompaniment to stuffed pepper recipes.
- Salsa, Pico or Guacamole – give this recipe a southwestern flair by adding a scoop of salsa, fresh Pico de Gallo or homemade guacamole to your plate.
- Fruit salad – if a leafy green salad isn’t appetizing then choose a fresh fruit salad. It balances the richness of the peppers and adds a sweet flavor to the meal.
Nutrition
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