Description
Cheesy Stuffed Pepper Beef Casserole is a comforting all-in-one meal that transforms classic stuffed peppers into an easy, hearty casserole. Featuring seasoned ground beef, tender bell peppers, rice, and plenty of melty cheese, this oven-baked dish is perfect for family dinners and meal prep.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers (any color), chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1½ cups cooked white or brown rice
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, divided
- Fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add onions and bell peppers and sauté for 5–6 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Push veggies to the side of the pan.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon. Drain excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, cooked rice, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 5 minutes to blend flavors.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the shredded cheese.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared baking dish and spread evenly.
- Top with remaining ½ cup cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until hot and bubbly.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve warm.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for extra heat.
- This dish freezes well—store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 610mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 24g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, ground beef casserole, cheesy beef bake, easy weeknight dinner, bell pepper rice bake