Tangy Stuffed Pepper Delight Casserole Recipe for Busy Nights

Stuffed pepper casseroles convert ordinary weeknight dinners into extraordinary culinary experiences that tantalize taste buds and comfort hungry families.

This hearty dish combines vibrant vegetables, savory proteins, and rich seasonings in a single delectable creation.

Layers of colorful ingredients meld together, creating a harmonious blend of textures and flavors that dance across your palate.

Robust and satisfying, the casserole offers a convenient one-pan solution for busy home cooks seeking delicious meal options.

Peppers provide a natural vessel for an exciting medley of ingredients, infusing each bite with aromatic warmth and depth.

Nutritious and filling, this recipe elevates traditional comfort food with its clever combination of wholesome components.

Prepare to fall in love with a meal that promises both simplicity and incredible taste.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recap

• Savor Hearty Flavor Explosion: This casserole packs an incredible punch of rich, robust tastes that blend perfectly together, combining ground meat, vegetables, and cheese into one satisfying dish.
• Simplify Weeknight Cooking: Perfect for busy families, this one-pan meal requires minimal prep work and delivers maximum deliciousness with straightforward cooking steps that even novice cooks can master quickly.
• Create Customizable Comfort Food: The recipe offers flexible ingredient options like ground turkey or beef, allowing home cooks to adapt the dish to personal preferences or dietary needs while maintaining a delicious core concept.
• Enjoy Nutrient-Packed Meal: Loaded with protein from meat, vitamins from bell peppers and tomatoes, and balanced with rice, this casserole provides a complete and wholesome dinner that feels indulgent yet nutritionally sound.

What’s Inside Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Ground Beef or Turkey: Lean protein base with rich, hearty flavor for the casserole's main component.
• Diced Tomatoes: Adds moisture, tangy flavor, and extra nutrition to the dish.

• Onions: Provides sweet and savory base flavor with aromatic depth.
• Garlic: Offers intense, robust flavor and classic kitchen aroma.
• Bell Peppers: Brings colorful, crisp texture and natural sweetness to the casserole.

• Marinara Sauce: Adds rich tomato flavor and helps bind the casserole ingredients.
• Uncooked Rice: Serves as the main starch and creates a substantial, filling texture.
• Broth: Provides liquid for rice cooking and enhances overall flavor profile.
• Italian Seasoning: Contributes classic Mediterranean herb blend for depth.
• Salt: Enhances and balances all other flavors in the dish.
• Black Pepper: Adds mild heat and completes the seasoning.
• Shredded Cheese: Creates a golden, melty topping with creamy richness.

Cook Stuffed Pepper Casserole Step-by-Step

Step 1: Fire Up the Oven and Sizzle the Meat

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C). Grab a large skillet and brown your ground beef or turkey over medium heat. Once cooked, drain away the extra fat.

• Ground beef or turkey
• Skillet

Step 2: Veggie Dance Party

• Diced onions
• Minced garlic
• Chopped bell peppers

Sauté with the meat until the veggies soften, about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3: Flavor Fusion Mixing

• Uncooked rice
• Marinara sauce
• Drained diced tomatoes
• Broth
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Pepper

Blend everything until perfectly combined.

Step 4: Simmer and Mingle

Let the mixture gently bubble for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. This helps the flavors get to know each other.

Step 5: Baking Preparation

Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Cover with foil and slide into the oven. Bake 35-40 minutes until rice is tender.

Step 6: Cheese Crown

Remove the foil and sprinkle shredded cheese across the top. Return to the oven for 10 minutes until cheese turns golden and bubbly.

Tips for Pepper Casserole Success

• Meat Mastery: Choose lean ground beef or turkey to keep the casserole lighter and prevent excess grease in the final dish.
• Rice Perfection: Rinse uncooked rice before adding to remove excess starch and ensure fluffy, separate grains in the casserole.
• Flavor Boost: Use fresh garlic instead of pre-minced for a more vibrant and robust taste throughout the dish.
• Cheese Selection: Opt for a blend of cheeses like mozzarella and cheddar to create a more complex and rich melted topping.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the casserole up to a day in advance and refrigerate, allowing flavors to develop more deeply before baking.

Store and Heat Stuffed Pepper Casserole

• Refrigeration: Carefully transfer cooled casserole into an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, keeping the dish sealed tightly to maintain freshness and prevent moisture loss.
• Freezing Method: Wrap the casserole tightly in plastic wrap, then cover with aluminum foil. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Label the container with the date to track storage time.
• Reheating Technique: Thaw frozen casserole overnight in the refrigerator. Warm in the oven at 350°F, covered with foil, for 20-25 minutes. Add a splash of broth or water to prevent drying out. Stir gently halfway through reheating to distribute heat evenly. Check internal temperature reaches 165°F before serving for food safety.

Serve Stuffed Pepper Casserole With These

• Pair with Bold Red Wine: Choose a robust Cabernet Sauvignon or Zinfandel to complement the rich, hearty flavors of the stuffed pepper casserole. The wine's bold tannins will cut through the cheese and balance the savory meat.
• Serve with Crisp Green Salad: Toss a light mixed greens salad with a tangy vinaigrette to provide a fresh contrast to the warm, cheesy casserole. The acidity will help cleanse the palate between bites.
• Complement with Garlic Bread: Prepare crusty garlic bread to soak up the delicious marinara sauce and add an extra layer of flavor. The crispy, buttery bread will provide a satisfying crunch alongside the soft casserole.
• Cool Down with Chilled Lager: Select a light, refreshing beer like a pilsner or lager to cut through the richness of the dish. The beer's crisp finish will balance the hearty flavors and provide a satisfying meal experience.

Pepper Casserole Add-On Ideas

• Spicy Southwest Pepper Casserole: Replace marinara sauce with salsa, add jalapeños, and swap Italian seasoning for chili powder. Top with pepper jack cheese for extra heat.
• Mediterranean Lamb Pepper Bake: Use ground lamb instead of beef, incorporate feta cheese, kalamata olives, and replace marinara with tomato paste mixed with oregano.
• Vegetarian Quinoa Pepper Casserole: Substitute ground meat with black beans and quinoa, use vegetable broth, and add roasted corn kernels for additional texture and flavor.
• Chicken and Green Chile Pepper Casserole: Swap ground beef with shredded rotisserie chicken, use green chiles instead of bell peppers, and mix in cream cheese for a creamy southwestern-style dish.

Stuffed Pepper Delight Casserole Recipe

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4.6 from 18 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Mexican-inspired stuffed pepper casserole delivers hearty comfort with layers of ground beef, rice, peppers, and melted cheese. Spicy seasonings and rich tomato sauce create a satisfying meal perfect for family dinners that leave you craving another bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Proteins:

• 1 pound (1 lb) ground beef or turkey

Grains:

• 1 cup uncooked rice

Vegetables and Seasonings:

• 3 bell peppers (any color), chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper

Liquids and Sauces:

• 2 cups marinara or tomato sauce
• 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth

Dairy:

• 1 ½ cups shredded cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the cooking environment by heating the oven to 350°F (175°C), ensuring a precise temperature for optimal cooking results.
2. In a large skillet, thoroughly brown the ground meat over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat to maintain a lean texture.
3. Incorporate finely chopped onions, minced garlic, and diced bell peppers into the skillet with the browned meat, sautéing until the vegetables become translucent and tender, approximately 5-7 minutes.
4. Introduce uncooked rice, marinara sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper to the skillet, mixing thoroughly to create a harmonious blend of flavors and ingredients.
5. Allow the mixture to simmer gently for 5 minutes, stirring intermittently to prevent sticking and ensure even flavor distribution.
6. Transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9 x 13-inch (23 x 33 centimeters) baking dish, covering it completely with aluminum foil to trap moisture and heat.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the rice reaches a perfectly tender consistency.
8. Remove the foil and generously sprinkle shredded cheese across the casserole’s surface, returning it to the oven for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling layer.
9. Allow the casserole to rest for 5 minutes after removing from the oven, enabling the ingredients to set and the flavors to fully develop before serving.

Notes

• Prep Like a Pro: Brown the meat thoroughly and drain excess fat to keep the dish lean and flavorful.
• Veggie Wisdom: Soften onions, garlic, and bell peppers completely to release their natural sweetness and enhance overall taste.
• Rice Trick: Uncooked rice absorbs the rich marinara and broth, creating a luxurious, creamy texture throughout the casserole.
• Seasoning Secret: Italian seasoning adds depth and authenticity, transforming simple ingredients into a restaurant-worthy meal.
• Cheese Perfection: Let the cheese melt and turn slightly golden for a crispy, irresistible topping that adds texture and richness.
• Make-Ahead Magic: This casserole can be assembled in advance and refrigerated, making weeknight dinners a breeze.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 60 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 380 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 680 mg
• Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 25 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 85 mg