Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole: Comfort Food Without the Fuss

Do you love the flavors of stuffed peppers but dread all the stuffing, the careful pepper prep, the individual handling? 🫑 This Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole gives you *all* the hearty, comforting taste—ground beef (or turkey), bell peppers, rice, tomato sauce, melted cheese—without the fuss. One pan, under an hour, minimal cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, meal prep, or feeding a hungry crowd.

Chef Gordon Ramsay always emphasizes letting bold, simple ingredients shine. In this dish: tender peppers, savory meat, aromatic spices, gooey cheese. Let’s get to it.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• ✅ **One‑dish wonder** – No need to individually stuff peppers.
• ✅ **Budget‑friendly** – Uses affordable, easy‑to‑find ingredients.
• ✅ **Meal prep hero** – Holds up well; flavors deepen over time.
• ✅ **Customizable** – Swap meats, cheeses, veggies to suit what you have.
• ✅ **Blog/AdSense friendly** – Keywords like “easy stuffed pepper casserole”, “one‑pan dinners” are high search volume & shareable content.

Ingredients

Core Ingredients

• 1 lb (≈ 450 g) ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2–3 bell peppers (mixed colors if possible), diced
• 3–4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1½ cups uncooked long‑grain rice (or brown rice)
• 1 can (15 oz / ~425 g) tomato sauce
• 1 can diced tomatoes (optional, or use crushed tomatoes)
• Beef or chicken broth (as needed to cook the rice within the casserole)
• Spices: salt, black pepper, optionally taco seasoning or cumin, paprika, chili powder
• Cheese for topping (cheddar, Colby, Monterey Jack, etc.)
• Olive oil (for sautéing)

Optional Variations

• Use **ground turkey, chicken**, or a meat substitute for lighter version.
• Swap **white rice** for brown rice (increase cooking time), or use cauliflower rice for low‑carb.
• Add extra veggies like zucchini, corn, mushrooms.
• Use a blend of cheeses, or add sour cream / yogurt on top when serving.

Step‑by‑Step Instructions

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to about 190‑200 °C (375‑400 °F).
2. Chop the onion, bell peppers; mince garlic. Rinse rice if using white rice.
3. Grease (or spray) a casserole dish (9×13‑inch or similar) to avoid sticking.

Cooking & Assembly

1. Heat a skillet over medium heat; add a bit of olive oil. Sauté onions until softened.
2. Add garlic and diced bell peppers; cook until peppers soften slightly.
3. Add the ground meat; cook until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
4. Season with spices (salt, pepper, cumin, chili, etc.). Stir.
5. Add rice, tomato sauce & diced tomatoes, and enough broth to cover/cook the rice properly.
6. Transfer mixture into the prepared casserole dish. Spread evenly.
7. Cover with foil, bake for about 30–45 minutes (or until rice is nearly tender).
8. Remove foil, top with shredded cheese; bake another ~10‑15 minutes until cheese is melted and golden and everything’s hot through.

Nutrition & Health Information

Here’s an approximate nutrition breakdown based on a “typical” stuffed pepper casserole (ground beef, rice, peppers, cheese) per serving (serves ~6):

*These are estimates; actual values depend on ingredients used & serving size.

Health & Safety Tips

• Ensure meat is cooked fully (ground meat should reach safe internal temperature: ~ 71 °C / 160‑165 °F for ground beef/turkey).
• If using brown rice, cook it thoroughly as it takes longer; ensure grains are tender before serving.
• Be cautious with sodium from canned tomato sauce, broth, or other pre‑seasoned ingredients; rinsing or choosing low‑sodium versions helps.
• Cheese adds saturated fat—if heart health is a concern, use reduced‑fat varieties or moderate the amount.
• Let leftovers cool properly and store in the fridge; reheat to steaming hot when using again.

Sample Nutrition from Other Recipes

To give you a sense from similar versions:

• The EatingWell version shows: ~ 344 kcal per serving; 23 g protein; 24 g carbs; 17 g fat. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
• The Allrecipes version has ~ 350 kcal; 25 g protein; 19 g carbs. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}

FAQs

Q1: Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes! Brown rice works, but it takes longer to cook. You may need to increase the bake time, or pre‑cook the brown rice partially before assembling the casserole.

Q2: Can I freeze the casserole?

Yes. Let the casserole cool completely, then store in freezer‑safe containers. To reheat, thaw in the fridge overnight, then bake until heated through, adding cheese again if desired.

Q3: What meat alternatives work?

Lean ground turkey or chicken work well. You can also use plant‑based ground meat substitutes. If you do, adjust seasoning & moisture since texture may vary.

Q4: How can I reduce fat/calories in the recipe?

Use leaner meat, reduce cheese or use low‑fat cheese, increase the ratio of vegetables to meat, and choose low‑sodium canned goods. Using broth for moisture helps without adding extra fat.

Q5: Can I make this dish gluten‑free?

Yes, provided all your ingredients are gluten‑free (some broths or spice mixes might contain gluten). Rice is naturally gluten‑free. Check labels.

Q6: What size baking dish should I use?

A 9×13‑inch (approx. 23×33 cm) casserole dish works well for 6‑8 servings. Adjust baking time slightly if using a deeper or shallower dish.

Q7: Can I add extra veggies?

Definitely. Zucchini, mushrooms, corn, peas—or even chopped spinach—can be added. Just make sure moisture is balanced so it doesn’t turn watery.

Q8: How long does it reheat well?

Stored in the fridge, it’s good for 3‑4 days. Make sure to reheat thoroughly (oven or microwave) until it’s hot all the way through.

Q9: What cheese melts best on top?

Cheeses like cheddar, Colby‑Jack, Monterey Jack, mozzarella or a blend melt nicely and offer good flavor. For more kick, try pepper jack or a smoked cheese.

Q10: What should I serve with this casserole?

It pairs well with a fresh green salad, roasted vegetables, steamed broccoli, or crusty bread. For a lighter touch, a side of yogurt or fresh cucumber slices works well.

Internal Links & Further Reading

• One‑Pan Dinners: Save Time & Mess
• Easy Ground Meat Recipes for Quick Meals
• Healthy Rice Dishes: Tips & Variations

Final Thoughts

This Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole gives all the comfort of classic stuffed peppers, without having to individually stuff each pepper. It’s warm, satisfying, and flexible—with leftovers that taste even better the next day. Whether you’re feeding family, planning meals, or just want something easy & delicious, this recipe’s got you covered. Chef Ina Garten would approve. 🥘