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Here’s a hearty, comforting Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe — all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers without the fuss of stuffing them! It’s a one-pan, easy-to-make dish loaded with ground beef (or turkey), bell peppers, rice, tomatoes, and gooey cheese.
🫑 Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Simple. Savory. All the comfort with half the effort.
✅ Ingredients (Serves 6)
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1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
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1 tbsp olive oil (if using lean meat)
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1 small onion, diced
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3 bell peppers, diced (any color – red, green, yellow)
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2 cloves garlic, minced
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1 tsp Italian seasoning
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½ tsp salt, ¼ tsp black pepper
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1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
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1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
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1 ½ cups cooked rice (white or brown)
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1 ½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
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Optional: pinch of red pepper flakes for heat
🥣 Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
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Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Beef & Veggies
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In a large skillet or oven-safe pan, brown the ground beef over medium heat.
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Drain excess fat if needed.
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Add onion, peppers, and garlic; sauté for 5–7 minutes, until softened.
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Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
3. Add Tomatoes, Sauce & Rice
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Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and cooked rice.
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Let it simmer for 5 minutes so flavors combine.
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Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
4. Top with Cheese & Bake
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Transfer to a greased 9×13″ casserole dish (or leave in oven-safe skillet).
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Sprinkle evenly with shredded cheese.
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Bake uncovered for 15–20 minutes, until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.
5. Serve
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Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve warm.
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Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or green onions, if desired.
🔄 Variations
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Use quinoa or cauliflower rice for a lower-carb option
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Add black beans or corn for a Tex-Mex twist
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Swap cheddar for pepper jack or Parmesan
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Make it vegetarian: skip the meat and double the veggies or add lentils
🧊 Storage
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Fridge: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days
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Freezer: Freeze leftovers or uncooked casserole for up to 3 months
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Reheat: Microwave or bake at 350°F until hot
Would you like a slow cooker version, one-pot stove version, or cheesy Tex-Mex version next?