Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This Stuffed Pepper Casserole brings together the classic flavors of traditional stuffed peppers in a simplified, all-in-one dish. Tender rice, savory ground beef, sweet bell peppers, and a rich tomato base are layered together and baked to perfection under a blanket of melted cheddar cheese.

Perfect for busy weeknights or casual gatherings, this casserole offers comfort, convenience, and bold flavor in every bite. It’s a crowd-pleasing recipe that transforms humble ingredients into a satisfying and homestyle meal, all baked in one dish for easy prep and clean-up.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 1 lb lean ground beef

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 red bell pepper, chopped

• 1 green bell pepper, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup long grain white rice, uncooked

• 2 cups beef broth

• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained

• 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce

• 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Directions:

1. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.

2. Add chopped onion, red and green bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

3. Stir in Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper.

4. Add rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes, and tomato sauce. Bring to a boil.

5. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until rice is tender.

6. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).

7. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.

8. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top.

9. Bake uncovered for 15 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 50 minutes | Total Time: 1 hour

Kcal: 415 kcal | Servings: 6 servings

Why Stuffed Pepper Casserole is the Ultimate Comfort Food (And Why You’ll Love Making It)

If you love the taste of classic stuffed peppers but dread the prep time and mess, this Stuffed Pepper Casserole is about to become your new favorite go-to recipe. It takes all the comforting, savory flavors of the traditional dish and transforms them into a convenient, one-pan meal that’s perfect for busy weeknights, meal prepping, or feeding a hungry family.

The Backstory: Where This Recipe Comes From

Stuffed peppers have a long and delicious history. Found in many cuisines—from Mediterranean dolmas to Latin American chiles rellenos—the idea of stuffing vegetables with hearty fillings is both practical and satisfying. This casserole is an American comfort food twist, designed to take the hassle out of stuffing individual peppers by deconstructing the ingredients and layering them into a cozy baked dish.

What started as a time-saving dinner idea has turned into a kitchen staple in households everywhere. It’s popular among parents, working professionals, and even beginner cooks because it offers big flavor with minimal effort.

Why This Casserole Works So Well

This dish is all about balance. It combines protein-packed ground beef with long grain white rice, ensuring it’s filling and satisfying. The bell peppers bring a sweet, slightly smoky flavor that complements the acidity of the tomatoes and the richness of the beef. Meanwhile, melty cheddar cheese on top ties everything together in the most delicious way.

What makes it even better? Everything cooks in one pan—first on the stovetop, then it finishes in the oven. It’s a smart use of ingredients and time, resulting in fewer dishes and more time to enjoy your meal.

The Benefits of Making This Dish

• Time-saving: Traditional stuffed peppers can take over an hour just to prep and stuff. This casserole streamlines the process by combining everything in one dish.
• Family-friendly: Kids love the cheesy, savory flavor, and parents love that it sneaks in a few vegetables without a fuss.
• Budget-friendly: Uses pantry staples like rice, canned tomatoes, and ground beef. No fancy ingredients needed.
• Versatile: You can easily swap out ingredients based on dietary needs or what you have in your fridge.
• Great for leftovers: This dish tastes even better the next day. It reheats beautifully in the microwave or oven.

Ingredient Spotlight: Why Each One Matters

• Bell Peppers: These vibrant vegetables add sweetness and texture. Using both green and red adds visual appeal and flavor variety.
• Ground Beef: Provides protein and richness. Lean ground beef keeps the dish hearty but not too greasy.
• White Rice: A neutral base that soaks up all the tomato flavor. You can also substitute brown rice or quinoa.
• Diced Tomatoes & Tomato Sauce: Bring acidity and moisture to the dish, helping balance the richness of the meat and cheese.
• Cheddar Cheese: The finishing touch that melts into gooey goodness, bringing everything together with a savory topping.

Tips for Success

• Rinse the rice before cooking if you’re using long grain white rice. This helps remove excess starch and prevents the casserole from becoming overly sticky.
• Use a deep skillet or Dutch oven that can handle both stove and oven heat to avoid transferring the dish before baking.
• Grate your own cheese: Pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking agents that prevent it from melting as smoothly.
• Let it rest for a few minutes before serving. This allows the ingredients to settle and makes it easier to scoop.

Customization Ideas

One of the best parts of this casserole is how easy it is to tweak to your preferences:

• Make it spicy: Add red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño when sautéing the peppers.
• Add veggies: Throw in mushrooms, zucchini, or corn for more nutrients.
• Go low-carb: Replace the rice with cauliflower rice to make it keto-friendly.
• Swap the protein: Try ground turkey or Italian sausage for a different flavor profile.
• Make it vegetarian: Use lentils or plant-based crumbles instead of ground beef.

Meal Prep & Storage

This casserole is a meal prep dream. You can make it ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for up to 4 days. It’s also freezer-friendly—just portion it out into containers and freeze for up to 2 months. When you’re ready to eat, defrost and reheat in the oven or microwave.

You can even prep the ingredients separately: cook the beef mixture and rice, assemble everything in a dish, and pop it in the oven when you’re ready to serve.

Nutritional Breakdown (Per Serving)

This dish is not just hearty, it’s also reasonably healthy if you keep portions in check. Each serving (based on 6 portions) contains:

• Calories: ~415
• Protein: ~26g
• Carbohydrates: ~30g
• Fat: ~20g
• Fiber: ~4g

You’re getting a well-rounded meal with protein, fiber, complex carbs, and a decent amount of vitamins from the peppers and tomatoes.

When to Serve It

This dish is perfect for:

• Weeknight dinners when time is short but appetites are big
• Potlucks or family gatherings where you need something filling and crowd-pleasing
• Make-ahead lunches for work or school
• Cold-weather comfort food to warm you up from the inside out

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a dependable, delicious dinner that brings smiles to the table, this Stuffed Pepper Casserole is it. It’s the kind of recipe that turns into a tradition—passed around at family gatherings, shared with friends, and pulled out on busy evenings when you need something hearty and satisfying.

The simplicity, versatility, and flavor-packed result make this dish an essential in any home cook’s rotation. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, this recipe gives you that warm, satisfying feeling that only a classic comfort meal can provide.

Conclusion

This Stuffed Pepper Casserole is everything we love about home-cooked comfort food—simple, satisfying, and full of flavor. It delivers the familiar taste of traditional stuffed peppers without all the extra steps, making it a perfect recipe for busy weeknights or laid-back family dinners. With its hearty blend of ground beef, tender rice, sweet bell peppers, and gooey melted cheese, each bite is packed with wholesome, comforting goodness.

Whether you’re looking for a dish to warm you up on a cold evening or a reliable crowd-pleaser to feed your family, this casserole has you covered. It’s easy to make, adaptable to your preferences, and guaranteed to become a repeat favorite in your kitchen. Try it once, and you’ll see why so many home cooks consider it a staple recipe—comforting, convenient, and absolutely delicious.