Description
Comforting Mexican-inspired Stuffed Pepper Casserole brings zesty flavors and hearty ingredients together in one delightful dish. Packed with ground beef, rice, and melted cheese, this simple meal delivers maximum satisfaction with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or turkey
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 large bell peppers, chopped
Grains and Seasonings:
- 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 (14.5 ounces) can diced tomatoes with juice
- 1 (15 ounces) can tomato sauce
- 1 cup beef or chicken broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375F (190C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking dish with a light coating of cooking spray.
- Brown the ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat to maintain a lean texture.
- Introduce chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers to the skillet, sautéing until the vegetables become tender and fragrant, approximately 5 minutes.
- Incorporate diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, cooked rice, and a blend of Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper into the skillet. Gently stir the mixture and allow it to simmer, creating a rich, harmonious flavor profile.
- Transfer the entire mixture into the prepared baking dish, ensuring an even distribution of ingredients.
- Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
- If desired, remove the foil, sprinkle cheese over the top, and return to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbly layer.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for a few minutes to stabilize its structure.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm, offering a comforting and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Swap ground meat with plant-based crumbles for a vegetarian version that maintains protein content and flavor profile.
- Use cauliflower rice instead of traditional rice to reduce carbohydrates and create a low-carb alternative.
- Choose lean ground turkey or chicken to decrease overall fat content while keeping the dish protein-rich and satisfying.
- Add extra bell peppers or zucchini for increased vegetable intake and enhanced nutritional value without changing core recipe structure.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 273 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 21 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg