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Stuffed Pepper Casserole with Ground Beef and Rice

Stuffed pepper casserole combines beef, bell peppers, rice, tomatoes, and cheese.The rice cooks directly in seasoned tomato sauce and broth.Finish with melted cheese for an easy one-pan dinner.

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Prep Time 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American-inspired

Ingredients
  

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 pound 450 g ground beef
  • 1 medium onion diced
  • 2 bell peppers any color, chopped
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 can 15 ounces/425 g diced tomatoes
  • 1 can 15 ounces/425 g tomato sauce
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice or jasmine rice
  • 3 cups beef broth or chicken broth
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese or mozzarella
  • Fresh parsley optional

Instructions
 

  • Heat the olive oil in a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat.
  • Add the ground beef and diced onion. Cook for 5–6 minutes, breaking the meat into small pieces as it browns. Continue cooking until the beef is fully cooked and the onion has softened. Drain excess fat if necessary.
  • Add the chopped bell peppers and minced garlic. Cook for another 2–3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers begin to soften and the garlic becomes fragrant.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, uncooked rice, beef broth, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
  • Stir thoroughly, making sure the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.
  • Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce the heat to low and cover the pan.
  • Simmer for approximately 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the rice from sticking. Continue cooking until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
  • Taste and adjust the salt and black pepper if necessary.
  • Remove the Stuffed Pepper Casserole from the heat. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the surface.
  • Cover the pan again for 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and gooey.
  • Garnish with chopped fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.

Notes

Ground turkey can be substituted for the ground beef if you prefer a lighter variation.
Cheddar provides a sharper, richer cheese flavor, while mozzarella creates a milder finish with plenty of gooey melted cheese. A combination of both also works well.
If you enjoy extra vegetables, mushrooms, zucchini, or additional bell peppers can be incorporated into the casserole.