Description
Mexican-inspired stuffed bell pepper casserole delivers hearty comfort with layers of seasoned ground beef, rice, and melted cheese. Home cooks discover a simple one-dish meal that brings robust southwestern flavors to their dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Protein:
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Vegetables:
- 4 bell peppers (diced)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
Grains and Dairy:
- 2 cups white or brown rice (cooked)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese (shredded)
Canned and Liquid Ingredients:
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
Seasonings:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and lightly coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter.
- In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and sauté chopped bell peppers, onions, and minced garlic until they become tender and fragrant, approximately 4-5 minutes.
- Introduce ground beef to the vegetable mixture, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. Cook until the meat browns completely and loses its pink color, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Drain any excess fat from the meat, then incorporate cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and broth into the skillet. Allow the mixture to simmer for 4-5 minutes, enabling the flavors to meld together.
- Carefully transfer the entire skillet contents into the prepared baking dish, spreading evenly across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a uniform covering.
- Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese melts completely and develops a golden, bubbly texture.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow the ingredients to settle and cool slightly.
Notes
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt levels and make the dish heart-friendly.
- Ground turkey or plant-based crumbles work perfectly as lean protein alternatives for those watching calories.
- Swap regular rice with cauliflower rice to create a low-carb, keto-friendly version of this comforting casserole.
- For added nutrition, mix in extra vegetables like spinach or zucchini during the sautéing stage to boost vegetable content.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 320 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg