Cozy Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Recipe for Chilly Nights

Crafting a delightful stuffed bell pepper casserole brings comfort and excitement to your dinner table.

Layers of vibrant vegetables, tender meat, and melted cheese create a mouthwatering symphony of flavors.

Each bite promises a rich, satisfying experience that connects you to home-cooked traditions.

Colorful bell peppers nestle perfectly with seasoned protein and aromatic spices.

Simple ingredients combine to deliver a hearty meal that feels both nostalgic and innovative.

Packed with nutrition and bursting with robust flavors, this casserole transforms an ordinary evening into a memorable culinary adventure.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Full of Flavor

• Simplify Stuffed Peppers: Transform traditional stuffed peppers into an easy-to-make casserole that eliminates individual pepper stuffing while maintaining all the delicious flavors.
• Quick Family Meal: Combine ground beef, rice, and vegetables in one dish for a nutritious and satisfying dinner that appeals to both kids and adults with minimal preparation effort.
• Customize with Ease: Swap ground beef for turkey, add different seasonings, or include extra vegetables to make the recipe versatile and adaptable to personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimize kitchen cleanup by using a single skillet for cooking and a casserole dish for baking, reducing dishwashing time and making meal preparation stress-free.

Ingredients for Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that provides rich flavor and substance to the casserole.
• Bell Peppers: Colorful vegetables that add sweetness and texture to the dish.
• Rice: A fluffy grain that helps bind the casserole ingredients together.

• Shredded Cheese: Melts beautifully on top, creating a golden and creamy finish.

• Crushed Tomatoes, Italian Seasoning, Garlic Powder, Salt, Pepper: These ingredients work together to create a robust and well-balanced flavor profile.

• Olive Oil, Onions: Provide a foundational flavor and help sauté the vegetables and meat.

How to Make Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Step 1: Warm Up the Cooking Space

Fire up your oven to a cozy 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius), creating the perfect environment for your delicious casserole.

Step 2: Sizzle and Soften Veggies

Drizzle olive oil into a large skillet and dance those onions and bell peppers around until they become tender and fragrant, releasing their sweet flavors.

Step 3: Brown the Protein

Introduce ground beef to the skillet, letting it sizzle and transform into a rich, golden-brown masterpiece.

Carefully drain away any excess fat to keep things light.

Step 4: Mix Flavor Powerhouses

• Cooked rice
• Crushed tomatoes
• Italian seasoning
• Garlic powder
• Salt
• Pepper

Stir everything together until the mixture becomes a harmonious flavor explosion.

Step 5: Prepare the Cheesy Canvas

Grease your casserole dish and gently pour in the savory mixture.

Crown the top with a generous blanket of shredded cheese, promising a melty, golden finish.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the casserole into the preheated oven and let it transform for 25-30 minutes.

Watch for the cheese to become a bubbling, golden landscape of deliciousness.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Allow the casserole a brief moment to cool, then slice and serve this comforting masterpiece that’s sure to make taste buds dance with joy.

Tips for Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

• Select crisp, firm bell peppers without blemishes for the best texture and flavor in your casserole.
• Replace ground beef with ground turkey, plant-based crumbles, or lentils for lighter or vegetarian versions.
• Let cheese sit at room temperature before sprinkling to ensure smooth, even melting across the casserole surface.
• Drain ground beef thoroughly and pat meat with paper towels to remove excess moisture, keeping casserole thick and rich.
• Enhance Italian seasoning by adding fresh chopped basil or parsley right before baking for a brighter, more vibrant taste profile.

Variations on Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

• Vegetarian Pepper Casserole: Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for a protein-packed meatless version.
• Low-Carb Bell Pepper Bake: Swap rice with cauliflower rice to reduce carbohydrates and create a keto-friendly meal.
• Spicy Mexican-Style Casserole: Add chili powder, cumin, and swap Italian seasoning for taco seasoning. Top with jalapeños and use pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Inspired Casserole: Use ground lamb instead of beef, add oregano, swap crushed tomatoes with diced tomatoes, and sprinkle feta cheese on top for a Greek-inspired dish.

Serving Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

• Family-Style Comfort Feast: Serve this hearty casserole as a complete meal with simple side dishes that complement its rich flavors.
• Fresh Garden Salad Pairing: Toss together crisp mixed greens, cucumber slices, and cherry tomatoes with a light vinaigrette to balance the casserole's warmth.
• Crusty Bread Companion: Slice some warm garlic bread or rustic sourdough to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and add extra texture to each bite.
• Zesty Topping Options: Sprinkle fresh chopped parsley, dollop sour cream, or add a few sliced jalapeños for those who enjoy a spicy kick to their meal.

Storing Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Properly

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Ensure the container is clean and leak-proof to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled casserole to a freezer-safe container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Label with the date and contents for easy tracking.
• Place individual portions on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with a damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated through.

FAQs

• Can I use ground turkey instead of beef?

Ground turkey works perfectly as a lean alternative. Just ensure it’s fully cooked and seasoned similarly to ground beef for the best flavor.

• Do I need to pre-cook the rice?

Yes, use already cooked rice for this casserole. Uncooked rice won’t absorb liquid properly and could make the dish too dry or undercooked.

• How can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Simply use gluten-free rice and check that your seasonings and crushed tomatoes are certified gluten-free. The recipe is naturally gluten-free friendly.

• What type of cheese works best?

Cheddar or Mexican blend cheese are excellent choices. They melt beautifully and provide great flavor that complements the beef and bell peppers.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Recipe

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4.7 from 29 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole blends hearty ground beef, melted cheese, and zesty rice in one comforting dish. Home cooks craving a quick weeknight meal will love this simple, flavorful one-pan wonder that brings southwest charm to dinner.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 3 large bell peppers, diced
• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

Vegetable and Aromatics:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cups crushed tomatoes

Seasonings and Oils:

• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil

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Instructions

1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) to prepare for baking the casserole.
2. Sauté diced onions and bell peppers in olive oil until they become translucent and tender in a large skillet.
3. Introduce ground beef to the skillet, cooking thoroughly until the meat browns completely and loses its pink color.
4. Carefully drain any accumulated fat from the meat mixture to ensure a lighter dish.
5. Incorporate cooked rice, crushed tomatoes, and seasonings including Italian herbs, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into the meat mixture, stirring until well combined.
6. Transfer the entire mixture into a prepared casserole dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
7. Generously sprinkle shredded cheese over the top of the casserole, creating a complete coverage.
8. Place the casserole in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, watching for the cheese to melt and become golden and bubbly.
9. Remove from oven and allow the casserole to rest for 5-7 minutes, which helps the ingredients settle and makes serving easier.
10. Serve warm, directly from the baking dish, ensuring each portion contains a mix of meat, rice, and melted cheese.

Notes

• Swap ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner or vegetarian version of the casserole.
• Rinse rice thoroughly before cooking to remove excess starch and prevent clumping, ensuring a fluffy texture.
• Add extra vegetables like zucchini or spinach to boost nutritional value and create more complex flavors.
• Use fresh herbs instead of dried Italian seasoning for a brighter, more vibrant taste profile.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 420 kcal
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 20 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 28 g
• Cholesterol: 75 mg