Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey or sausage)
- 3-4 bell peppers, chopped (use a mix of red, green, yellow, or orange)
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes (with juice)
- 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 1/2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (for sautéing)
- Fresh parsley or basil, chopped (for garnish, optional)
Instructions:
1. Preheat the oven:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the beef and vegetables:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced onion and sauté for about 3-4 minutes until softened.
- Add the minced garlic and cook for another minute.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and fully cooked, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the chopped bell peppers, and cook for another 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
3. Add tomatoes and seasoning:
- Stir in the diced tomatoes (with juice), tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well and let it simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
4. Mix in the rice:
- Add the cooked rice to the beef and pepper mixture, stirring until well combined.
5. Assemble the casserole:
- Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Top the casserole with the shredded cheese, spreading it evenly over the top.
6. Bake:
- Cover the dish with foil and bake for 20 minutes.
- Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.
7. Serve:
- Let the casserole sit for about 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley or basil if desired.
Tips:
- Customize the protein: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or Italian sausage instead of beef.
- Add more veggies: Feel free to add other vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for added flavor and texture.
- Make it vegetarian: Skip the meat and double up on the rice and veggies for a vegetarian version.
- Prep ahead: This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and baked when you’re ready. Simply refrigerate and add a few extra minutes to the baking time.
This Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a satisfying and hearty dish, with all the familiar flavors of stuffed peppers but in a much simpler form!