Sizzling Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe for Cozy Family Dinners

Crafting a delightful quick and simple stuffed pepper casserole brings comfort straight to your dinner table.

Peppers bursting with savory flavors create a hearty meal everyone craves.

Layers of ground beef, rice, and melted cheese blend into a mouthwatering masterpiece.

Kitchen magic happens when familiar ingredients combine with minimal effort.

Home cooks appreciate streamlined recipes that deliver maximum satisfaction without complex techniques.

Mediterranean-inspired seasonings give this casserole an irresistible twist that sparks conversation around the table.

Each bite promises a warm, satisfying experience that feels like a culinary hug.

You’ll want to savor every delicious forkful of this crowd-pleasing dish.

What Makes Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole Great

• Savor Hearty Comfort: A mouthwatering blend of juicy beef patties, melted cheese, and sweet caramelized onions creates the ultimate satisfying meal that hugs your taste buds.
• Master Quick Cooking: Simple ingredients and straightforward techniques make this recipe perfect for home cooks of all skill levels, allowing anyone to create a restaurant-quality sandwich with minimal effort.
• Customize Your Feast: Easily adapt the recipe by swapping cheeses, adding condiments, or incorporating extra toppings to match personal preferences and make each patty melt uniquely delicious.
• Perfect for Gathering: An irresistible crowd-pleaser that works wonderfully for casual family dinners, game day celebrations, or spontaneous weekend lunches with friends.

Ingredients for Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides rich meaty texture to the casserole.

• Bell Peppers, Onion, Garlic: These fresh vegetables add depth of flavor, sweetness, and aromatic qualities to the dish.

• Cooked Rice, Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: These ingredients create a comforting and moist foundation that binds the casserole together.

• Seasonings, Shredded Cheese: The seasonings enhance the overall taste profile, while the cheese adds a creamy, golden-brown finish to the casserole.

Cooking Instructions for Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Step 1: Fire Up The Oven

Crank the oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) to get ready for some serious cooking magic.

Step 2: Sizzle The Meat And Veggies

Grab a skillet and brown the ground beef until it’s perfectly cooked.

• Diced bell peppers
• Chopped onions
• Minced garlic

Cook everything together until the vegetables become tender and fragrant.

Step 3: Create The Flavor Explosion

• Cooked rice
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Your favorite seasonings (salt, pepper, herbs)

Step 4: Prepare The Cheesy Topping

Transfer the entire mixture into a casserole dish.

Sprinkle a generous layer of shredded cheese on top to create a melty, golden crown.

Step 5: Bake To Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to become bubbly and turn a beautiful golden brown.

Step 6: Serve And Enjoy

Pull out the casserole and let it cool for a few minutes.

Scoop onto plates and savor the delicious blend of flavors in every bite.

Tips to Perfect Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish.
• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a lighter protein alternative.
• Allow the casserole to rest for 5-10 minutes after baking to help it set and make serving easier.
• Use different cheese varieties like monterey jack or pepper jack for added flavor complexity.
• Make ahead and refrigerate the assembled casserole for up to 24 hours before baking, perfect for meal prep.

Flavor Variations for Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Mexican Fiesta Pepper Casserole: Replace ground beef with seasoned chorizo, add black beans, swap cheese for pepper jack, and sprinkle with fresh cilantro.
• Mediterranean Lamb Pepper Bake: Use ground lamb instead of beef, mix in feta cheese, add oregano and mint, incorporate kalamata olives for extra flavor.
• Vegetarian Garden Pepper Casserole: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles, include zucchini and spinach, use mozzarella cheese, season with Italian herbs.
• Spicy Southwest Pepper Dish: Add jalapeños, use spicy sausage, incorporate corn kernels, top with cheddar cheese and green onions.

Serving Ideas for Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Tex-Mex Fiesta Night: Serve this casserole with warm tortillas and a zesty salsa for a spicy southwestern twist. Sprinkle fresh cilantro on top to boost the flavor profile and add a vibrant green touch.
• Family Comfort Meal: Pair the stuffed pepper casserole with a crisp green salad and garlic bread. This combination creates a balanced, hearty dinner that satisfies everyone at the table.
• Healthy Lunch Option: Pack individual portions in meal prep containers for a convenient work or school lunch. Add a side of Greek yogurt or sour cream to enhance the creamy texture and provide a cool contrast.
• Potluck Crowd-Pleaser: Transport the casserole in a portable dish for gatherings. Bring extra cheese and chopped herbs on the side so guests can customize their servings and enjoy a personalized meal experience.

Storing Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole Correctly

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days, ensuring the casserole is completely cooled before sealing to prevent moisture buildup.
• Freeze individual portions in freezer-safe containers for maximum 3 months, wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn.
• Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat in the oven at 350F (175C) for 20-25 minutes until heated through, covering with foil to prevent excessive drying.
• Store leftover cheese separately in a sealed container to maintain its freshness and prevent soggy texture when reheating the casserole.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of ground beef?

Yes, ground turkey is an excellent lean protein substitute that works perfectly in this recipe. It provides similar texture and absorbs the seasonings well.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

While the base ingredients are naturally gluten-free, check your tomato sauce and seasonings to ensure they don’t contain gluten. Use certified gluten-free rice to make the entire dish safe.

• How spicy is this casserole?

The recipe has mild seasoning. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes or use a spicy tomato sauce. You can also include jalapeños for extra kick.

• Can I make this dish vegetarian?

Absolutely! Replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat, black beans, or lentils. The other ingredients remain the same, creating a delicious vegetarian version.

Quick And Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

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4.9 from 16 reviews

• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Stuffed Pepper Casserole brings classic Mexican-inspired flavors to your dinner table with minimal preparation. Cheesy layers of ground beef, rice, and bell peppers create a comforting meal you can enjoy with minimal fuss.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 bell peppers, chopped
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups cooked rice (240 g)
• 1 (14.5 oz / 411 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 (8 oz / 226 g) can tomato sauce
• 2 cups (226 g) shredded cheese
• 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. In a large skillet, thoroughly cook the ground beef over medium-high heat until it browns and crumbles completely.
3. Add chopped bell peppers, diced onions, and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
4. Incorporate cooked rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and selected seasonings into the skillet, mixing ingredients uniformly.
5. Transfer the robust mixture into a prepared casserole dish, ensuring even distribution.
6. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the entire surface of the casserole.
7. Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt, bubble, and turn a golden brown color.
8. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes before serving to help set the ingredients and enhance flavor melding.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the dish.
• Add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more depth of flavor.
• For a low-carb alternative, replace rice with cauliflower rice or quinoa to reduce overall carbohydrate content.
• Try different cheese blends like pepper jack or Mexican mix to create unique flavor profiles and keep the dish exciting.

• Prep Time: 25 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 320 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 60 mg