Unstuffed Pepper Casserole: A Cozy One-Pan Dinner Made Simple

Unstuffed Pepper Casserole is the easy, comforting version of classic stuffed peppers. It has all the same delicious flavors—tender bell peppers, seasoned ground meat, tomato sauce, rice, and melted cheese—but without the extra work of hollowing, filling, and baking whole peppers. Everything cooks together in one dish, making it a perfect family meal for busy weeknights.

This casserole is hearty, colorful, and full of flavor. The bell peppers become soft and sweet, the rice absorbs the tomato sauce, and the cheese on top gives the dish a warm, golden finish. It is simple enough for beginners, but tasty enough to serve for a cozy dinner.

Ingredients

To make Unstuffed Pepper Casserole, you will need:

• 1 pound ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 3 bell peppers, chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
• 1 can diced tomatoes
• 1 can tomato sauce
• 2 cups beef broth or chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Fresh parsley for garnish, optional

Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients

Start by washing the bell peppers. Remove the stems, seeds, and white inner parts, then chop the peppers into small pieces. You can use green, red, yellow, or orange peppers. Using different colors makes the casserole look more attractive and gives it a slightly sweeter flavor.

Chop the onion and mince the garlic. Measure out the rice, broth, tomatoes, sauce, seasonings, and cheese so everything is ready before cooking.

Step 2: Cook the Meat

Place a large skillet or deep pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, then add the ground meat. Break it apart with a spoon while it cooks. Continue cooking until the meat is browned and no longer pink.

If there is too much grease in the pan, carefully drain the extra fat. This helps keep the casserole from becoming oily.

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