Description
Pioneer Woman’s stuffed pepper casserole delivers hearty comfort with ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in one delicious baking dish. Savory seasonings and melted cheese create a mouthwatering meal guaranteed to satisfy hungry families craving classic Southwestern-inspired flavors you’ll want to devour.
Ingredients
Scale
Protein:
- 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef
Vegetables:
- 2 large bell peppers, seeded and diced
- 1 onion, peeled and diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
Grains and Liquids:
- 1 cup (240 milliliters) long-grain uncooked white rice
- 1 ½ cups (360 milliliters) beef stock
- 15 ounces (425 grams) diced tomatoes
Seasonings and Cheese:
- 3 tablespoons (45 milliliters) Worcestershire sauce
- 1 ½ teaspoons Montreal Grill Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- ½ teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 cups (226 grams) shredded cheddar cheese
Instructions
- Warm the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius). Coat a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeter) baking dish thoroughly with non-stick cooking spray, ensuring complete coverage of the surface.
- Position a large skillet over medium-high heat. Crumble the ground beef into the pan, breaking it into small pieces while cooking. Sauté until the meat turns completely brown and no pink remains visible.
- Dice the bell peppers into uniform small cubes and finely chop the onions. Add these vegetables to the browned meat. Crush or mince the garlic cloves and incorporate them into the mixture.
- Drizzle Worcestershire sauce over the meat and vegetable mixture. Sprinkle salt, black pepper, paprika, and grill seasoning evenly across the pan. Stir thoroughly to distribute the seasonings and ensure complete coating of all ingredients.
- Pour the remaining ingredients into the skillet, reserving exactly one-half cup of shredded cheese for topping. Mix all components until they are well integrated and create a cohesive filling.
- Transfer the entire skillet contents into the prepared baking dish, spreading the mixture evenly across the surface. Scatter the reserved cheese over the top, creating a uniform cheese layer.
- Cover the baking dish completely with aluminum foil. Place in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45 minutes, or until the liquid has been fully absorbed and the casserole appears bubbling and heated through.
- For a golden, crispy cheese topping, remove the foil during the final 3-5 minutes of baking. Switch the oven to broil setting, watching carefully to prevent burning.
- After removing from the oven, allow the casserole to rest and settle for 15 minutes. This resting period helps the ingredients set and makes serving easier. Slice and serve warm.
Notes
- Savor a delightful twist on classic stuffed peppers that simplifies weeknight cooking without sacrificing flavor.
- Combines hearty ground beef with colorful bell peppers in a convenient casserole format that feeds the whole family.
- Worcestershire sauce works magic, infusing deep umami notes that transform ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary meal.
- Versatile recipe welcomes creative swaps like ground turkey or plant-based alternatives to suit different dietary needs.
- Melted cheese creates a gloriously golden topping that makes every single bite irresistibly tempting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 469 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 545 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg