This Unstuffed Pepper Casserole is a cozy dish packed with bell peppers, rice, and ground meat, all simmered together in a tasty tomato sauce. It’s like a hug in a bowl!
It’s super easy to make—just mix everything in a pot and let it cook! I often top it with cheese for that gooey goodness. Perfect for lazy nights when you want comfort food quick!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Ground Beef or Turkey: Both work great in this recipe. If you’re looking for a lighter option, try ground turkey. For a vegetarian version, consider substituting with lentils or cooked quinoa for protein.
Rice: I prefer using long grain white rice, but you can swap it for brown rice for a healthier twist. Just remember, the cooking time may need to be extended for brown rice.
Pepper Varieties: Red and green peppers add nice color and flavor, but feel free to use yellow or orange bell peppers too! Each brings a slightly different sweetness.
Cheese: While cheddar is fantastic for topping, mozzarella or pepper jack can also be used based on your taste preference. Skip the cheese for a dairy-free option!
How Do You Get the Rice Perfectly Cooked in This Casserole?
The trick to cooking rice well in this casserole is ensuring enough liquid and then covering it tightly. Here’s how:
- When you stir everything together, make sure the rice is evenly distributed and submerged in the liquid.
- Cover with aluminum foil tightly so that the steam stays in, allowing the rice to cook evenly.
- Check the rice at 45 minutes; if it’s not fully cooked, give it a little more time, but keep it covered.
Following these steps will help you achieve tender rice without needing to pre-cook it. Enjoy your meal!
Unstuffed Pepper Casserole
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 cup long grain white rice (uncooked)
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 2 cups beef broth (or water with bouillon)
- 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional for topping)
- Fresh parsley or dried Italian herbs for garnish (optional)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This dish takes about 15 minutes of prep time and around 45 minutes to cook in the oven. You’ll have a delicious and filling meal ready in about an hour!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Prepping the Oven and Skillet:
First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). While that’s heating up, grab a large skillet and cook your ground beef (or turkey) over medium heat until it’s nicely browned and there’s no pink left. Drain any excess fat to keep your casserole nice and light.
2. Adding Aromatics:
Next, toss in the finely chopped onion and minced garlic into your skillet. Cook these together for about 3-4 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant. This will add a lovely depth of flavor to your dish!
3. Stirring in the Peppers:
Now, add the chopped red and green bell peppers to the skillet. Stir these in and let them cook for another 3-4 minutes until they’re slightly tender. You want them to stay colorful and flavorful!
4. Mixing Everything Together:
Time to bring it all together! Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (including their juicy goodness), tomato sauce, beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Give it a good stir to combine everything evenly.
5. Simmer and Prepare for Baking:
Bring your mixture to a gentle simmer, then take it off the heat. It’s now ready for the oven! Transfer everything to a baking dish (about 9×13 inches is perfect) and cover it tightly with aluminum foil.
6. Baking in the Oven:
Pop your covered dish in the preheated oven and bake for about 45 minutes, checking to ensure the rice is fully cooked and tender.
7. Topping with Cheese:
After 45 minutes, take your casserole out of the oven. If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it evenly over the top. Return the casserole to the oven uncovered for an additional 5-10 minutes, just until the cheese melts and starts to bubble. Yum!
8. Final Touches:
Once ready, remove it from the oven and let it cool for a minute. If you’d like, garnish your casserole with some fresh parsley or a sprinkle of dried Italian herbs for an extra pop of flavor. Serve hot and enjoy this warm, comforting meal!
This Unstuffed Pepper Casserole captures all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed peppers but with way less hassle. Dig in!
Can I Use Cauliflower Rice Instead of Regular Rice?
Absolutely! If you’re looking for a low-carb alternative, cauliflower rice works well. Just sauté it with the other veggies for a few minutes before adding the liquids, since it doesn’t need as much cooking time as regular rice.
What If I Don’t Have Beef Broth?
No worries! You can substitute beef broth with chicken broth or vegetable broth. If you only have water, you can use that too—just add a bit more seasoning to enhance the flavor.
How Can I Make This Recipe Vegetarian?
To make it vegetarian, simply replace the ground beef or turkey with a mix of lentils or beans, and use vegetable broth. You can also add more veggies like zucchini or mushrooms for extra flavor and texture!
Can I Prepare This Casserole Ahead of Time?
Yes, you can! Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover it, and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours. When you’re ready to cook, pop it in the oven but add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time since it will be cold.