Here’s a simple and delicious recipe for an Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole—all the flavors of stuffed peppers, without the hassle of hollowing out peppers. 🌶️🧀🍚
🍽️ Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole (Serves 4–6)
Ingredients
- 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 1–2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3–4 bell peppers (any color), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or quinoa)
- 1 can (14.5 oz / 400 g) diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese (plus extra for topping)
- Fresh parsley, chopped (optional, for garnish)
🥄 Instructions
- Preheat oven:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Cook the meat:
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook ground beef (or turkey) until browned.
- Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add onions and garlic; sauté 3–4 minutes until soft.
- Mix casserole ingredients:
- In a large bowl, combine cooked meat mixture, chopped bell peppers, cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and 1 cup shredded cheese. Mix well.
- Assemble and bake:
- Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Sprinkle extra cheese on top.
- Cover with foil and bake for 25–30 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve:
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.
- Serve hot with a side salad or crusty bread.
💡 Tips
- Add veggies: Zucchini, corn, or mushrooms work well.
- Make it lighter: Use ground turkey or chicken and reduced-fat cheese.
- Meal prep: This casserole keeps well in the fridge for 3–4 days or can be frozen for up to 3 months.
This casserole gives all the flavors of stuffed peppers with minimal prep and is perfect for busy weeknights.
If you want, I can also give a slow cooker version so it cooks hands-off while you go about your day. Do you want me to do that?
