Description
Hearty pioneer woman stuffed pepper casserole delivers comfort and flavor in one delicious baking dish. Ground beef, rice, and peppers meld together, creating a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners you’ll savor to the last bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound lean ground beef
Vegetables:
- 2 large bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 onion, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups beef stock
- 15 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 cup long-grain uncooked white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Montreal Grill Seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
Instructions
- Warm the oven to a consistent 350°F, preparing a spacious baking dish for the hearty casserole.
- In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground beef over medium-high heat, breaking it into fine crumbles.
- Add chopped onions, vibrant bell peppers, and minced garlic to the meat, sautéing until vegetables become tender and fragrant.
- Pour in Worcestershire sauce, rich beef stock, diced tomatoes, uncooked rice, Montreal seasoning, salt, ground pepper, and paprika, stirring to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Reduce heat and allow the mixture to gently simmer for 15-20 minutes, letting the rice gradually absorb the liquid and develop deep, complex flavors.
- Carefully transfer the robust mixture into the prepared casserole dish, creating an even layer across the surface.
- Generously sprinkle sharp cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, ensuring complete coverage.
- Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow flavors to settle and casserole to set.
Notes
- Customize rice type by using brown rice for added fiber or cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative.
- Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles to create a lighter, healthier version of the casserole.
- Add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavor profiles.
- Prep ingredients ahead of time to streamline cooking process and reduce day-of kitchen stress.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 363 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 432 mg
- Fat: 19 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 27 g
- Cholesterol: 64 mg