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