Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

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Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole is a simplified, comforting twist on classic stuffed bell peppers. Instead of carefully filling individual peppers, everything is cooked together in one pan, creating a hearty, flavorful baked dish with much less effort and the same familiar taste profile.

It’s essentially a deconstructed version of stuffed peppers: seasoned meat, rice, tomatoes, and tender bell peppers layered and baked together until everything melds into a rich, savory casserole.

What Makes Unstuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Special

Traditional stuffed peppers require hollowing, filling, and baking each pepper individually. This casserole removes all of that assembly work while keeping the same core ingredients and flavor structure.

The key components usually include:

Ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
Rice
Tomatoes (diced, crushed, or sauce)
Bell peppers
Aromatics like onion and garlic
Seasonings (paprika, Italian herbs, salt, pepper)

The result is a one-pan comfort meal that is both practical and satisfying.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a standard ingredient list for a family-sized casserole:

1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
1 cup uncooked rice
2–3 large Bell pepper (any color, chopped)
1 medium onion, diced
2–3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
2 cups beef or chicken broth
1–2 tsp paprika
1 tsp dried oregano or Italian seasoning
Salt and black pepper to taste
1 cup shredded cheese (optional, for topping)

Step-by-Step Method

Step 1: Prepare Your Ingredients

Start by chopping the bell peppers, onion, and garlic. Rinse the rice if desired to remove excess starch. Having everything ready before cooking helps the process move smoothly since the dish comes together quickly once heat is applied.

Step 2: Brown the Meat

Heat a large deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

Once browned, drain excess fat if needed. This step builds the savory base flavor of the casserole.

Step 3: Add Aromatics

Add the diced onion and minced garlic directly into the cooked meat. Sauté for about 2–3 minutes until the onion becomes soft and fragrant. This step deepens the flavor and reduces sharpness in the onion and garlic.