Easy & Delicious Stuffed Pepper Casserole: A Quick Weeknight Meal

Craving the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers but short on time? This delightful Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe is your perfect solution! It offers all the rich, savory taste of traditional stuffed peppers in a convenient, deconstructed form that comes together much faster, skipping the lengthy baking time typically required for individual peppers. This easy-to-prepare meal is ideal for busy weeknights, offering a hearty and satisfying dish that requires minimal fuss in the oven, making it a fantastic addition to any home cook’s repertoire.

Our recipe expertly combines a flavorful mixture of perfectly sautéed vegetables, lean ground beef, aromatic spices, and wholesome brown rice. These ingredients are simmered together in a single skillet, creating a delicious and robust filling that bursts with taste. Once the filling is prepared, it’s transferred to a baking dish and generously topped with a layer of gooey, melted mozzarella cheese. The result is a bubbly, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying casserole that’s sure to become a family favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Pepper Casserole isn’t just a meal; it’s a culinary triumph for busy households. This healthy, straightforward, and incredibly tasty dish is perfect for a weeknight dinner, offering a multitude of benefits:

• Time-Saving: Unlike traditional stuffed peppers that require individual prepping and a long bake, this casserole significantly cuts down on preparation and cooking time, delivering a delicious meal in a fraction of the time.
• Effortless Preparation: With simple steps involving sautéing, mixing, and baking, this recipe is incredibly easy to follow, making it accessible even for novice cooks.
• Healthy & Wholesome: Packed with lean ground beef (or your preferred protein), plenty of vegetables, and fiber-rich brown rice, it’s a balanced meal that nourishes your family.
• Kid-Friendly: The comforting flavors and cheesy topping make it an instant hit with children, offering a sneaky way to encourage them to eat their vegetables without complaint.
• Versatile & Adaptable: Easily customize the vegetables, protein, and seasonings to suit your family’s preferences or to utilize ingredients you already have on hand.
• Perfect for Leftovers: It’s a fantastic way to use up cooked rice and any lingering vegetables in your fridge, transforming them into a hearty and satisfying dish.
• Great for Meal Prep: This casserole can be prepared in advance and reheated, making it an excellent option for meal prepping throughout the week.

Recipe At A Glance

This simple stuffed pepper casserole yields 6 generous servings and is designed for maximum flavor with minimal effort.

• Yield: 6 servings
• Preparation Time: 30 minutes
• Cooking Time: 40 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
• Weight Watchers (WW) Points: 5 points per serving (approximately)

Essential Ingredients for Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Gathering fresh, quality ingredients is key to the vibrant flavors of this casserole. Here’s what you’ll need to create this comforting dish:

• 600 g (approximately 1.3 lbs) lean ground beef
• 1 cup (160 g) chopped yellow onion
• 1 cup (150 g) chopped red bell pepper
• 1 cup (150 g) chopped fresh tomatoes
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
• ½ teaspoon paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
• 1 cup (227 g) cooked brown rice (cold and day-old works best for texture)
• 4 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese (30 g), or shredded equivalent
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Follow these simple steps to create your delicious and easy stuffed pepper casserole:

1. Prepare the Oven and Sauté Vegetables: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large, oven-safe skillet (or a regular skillet if you’re transferring to a baking dish), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and red bell pepper. Sauté, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, which typically takes about 5 minutes. This step builds the flavor base for your casserole.
2. Simmer Tomato Mixture: To the softened vegetables in the skillet, add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, bay leaf, and black pepper. Stir all the ingredients well to combine. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer and let it cook for approximately 10 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld and deepen. The tomato paste will add a rich, concentrated tomato flavor.
3. Brown the Ground Beef: Push the vegetable mixture to one side of the skillet. Add the lean ground beef to the empty side of the pan. Break it apart with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned, which usually takes about 5 minutes. Once cooked, drain off any excess grease to keep the casserole lighter. Remember to remove the bay leaf before proceeding.
4. Incorporate the Rice: Stir the cooked brown rice into the ground beef and vegetable mixture. Ensure the rice is evenly distributed throughout the savory filling. Using pre-cooked and cooled rice helps prevent it from becoming mushy.
5. Assemble and Bake: If you used a regular skillet, transfer the entire mixture into a greased 9×13-inch baking dish. Arrange the mozzarella cheese slices evenly over the top of the casserole. Place the baking dish in your preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly and the casserole is heated through.

Stuffed Pepper Casserole: Variations & Substitutions

This Stuffed Pepper Casserole recipe is wonderfully flexible, allowing you to easily adapt it to your preferences or dietary needs. Here are some ideas to get creative:

• Boost Your Veggies: To enhance nutritional value and reduce the amount of ground beef, feel free to add other sautéed vegetables. Excellent choices include diced carrots, sliced mushrooms, chopped zucchini, or even finely diced celery. Eggplant can also add a delightful texture and flavor.
• Healthier Protein Options: For a lighter or different flavor profile, substitute lean ground beef with ground chicken or ground turkey. Ensure to cook them thoroughly until no pink remains.
• Vegetarian Twist: Easily transform this into a vegetarian masterpiece! Omit the ground meat entirely and replace it with plant-based protein alternatives like crumbled tofu, tempeh, or a can of drained and rinsed black beans. You can also simply increase the variety and quantity of vegetables for a wholesome veggie-packed casserole.
• Rice Alternatives: While brown rice adds a nutty flavor and fiber, you can use white rice, quinoa, or even cauliflower rice (for a lower carb option) as substitutes. Adjust cooking times if using uncooked alternatives.
• Cheese Swaps: Not a fan of mozzarella? Try shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend of Italian cheeses for a different cheesy goodness. For a dairy-free option, use your favorite plant-based shredded cheese.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick, or a dash of chili powder for a smoky depth. Fresh herbs like parsley or oregano can also be stirred in at the end for added freshness.

Expert Tips for the Perfect Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Achieve casserole perfection every time with these valuable tips and tricks:

• Use Cooked and Cold Rice: This is a crucial tip for texture. Using pre-cooked, chilled rice (ideally day-old) ensures that the grains are firm and don’t clump together. It also prevents the casserole from becoming overly soggy. If you don’t have cold rice, cook it as usual, then spread it on a baking sheet to cool quickly in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before mixing.
• Lightly Toast Your Aromatics: Taking an extra few minutes to lightly toast the onions and bell peppers, possibly even slightly caramelizing them, will deepen their flavor and add a wonderful smoky dimension to your casserole. Heat your pan over medium-high heat with a touch of olive oil, and cook until softened and slightly browned before adding other ingredients.
• Preheat Oven Thoroughly: Always ensure your oven is fully preheated to the specified temperature before placing the casserole inside. This guarantees even cooking and helps the cheese melt beautifully and consistently.
• Cover During Baking: For the initial portion of the baking time (e.g., the first 10-15 minutes), consider covering the casserole dish with aluminum foil. This prevents the cheese and top layer from burning or browning too quickly, allowing the casserole to heat through evenly. Remove the foil for the last 5-10 minutes to get that golden, bubbly cheese top.
• Adjust Seasoning: Taste the meat and vegetable mixture before adding the rice and transferring to the baking dish. This is your chance to adjust salt, pepper, or other spices to your liking.
• Make Ahead Magic: This stuffed pepper casserole is an excellent make-ahead meal. Prepare the entire mixture and assemble it in the baking dish, then cover tightly and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. When ready to bake, add about 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.
• Freezing Instructions: This recipe freezes beautifully. To freeze, allow the baked and cooled casserole to cool completely. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap, then with aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 weeks. To serve, thaw the casserole in the refrigerator overnight, then bake as per instructions (you might need to add extra baking time). You can also freeze individual portions for convenient grab-and-go meals.
• Serving Suggestions: This casserole is a meal in itself, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad with a light vinaigrette, or a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What kind of bell peppers should I use for Stuffed Pepper Casserole?

While the recipe specifies red bell peppers, you can use any color of bell pepper you prefer! Green bell peppers offer a slightly more bitter, traditional flavor, while yellow and orange peppers are sweeter. Using a mix of colors can also add visual appeal and a range of subtle sweet notes to your casserole.

Can I use different types of ground meat?

Absolutely! Lean ground beef is fantastic, but ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent healthier alternatives. You could even try a combination of meats or a plant-based ground substitute for a vegetarian version. Just ensure whichever meat you choose is cooked through and any excess fat is drained.

Is this Stuffed Pepper Casserole gluten-free?

Yes, this recipe is naturally gluten-free as long as you use gluten-free ingredients, which the current list does. Brown rice is naturally gluten-free, and so are the other whole food ingredients. Always double-check labels on processed ingredients like tomato paste or seasonings to ensure no hidden gluten.

Can I prepare this dish ahead of time?

Yes, this casserole is perfect for making ahead! You can assemble the entire casserole (mixture in the baking dish with cheese on top) up to 24 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate. When you’re ready to bake, just remove it from the fridge and add an extra 10-15 minutes to the baking time to ensure it heats through properly.

How do I store and reheat leftovers?

Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can warm individual portions in the microwave until hot, or cover the entire dish with foil and reheat in a preheated oven at 300°F (150°C) until warmed through, about 20-30 minutes.

More Delicious Casserole Recipes You’ll Love

If you enjoyed this easy stuffed pepper casserole, be sure to explore these other comforting and simple casserole recipes:

Simple Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Servings:
6

Prep Time:
30 mins

Cook Time:
40 mins

Total Time:
1 hr 10 mins

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A quick and easy casserole version of stuffed peppers that delivers on flavor without the long bake time.

Ingredients

• 600 g. lean ground beef
• 1 cup chopped onion, 160 g.
• 1 cup chopped red bell pepper, 150 g.
• 1 cup chopped tomatoes, 150 g.
• 3 tbsp of tomato paste
• 1 bay leaf
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon of paprika
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup cooked brown rice, 227 g.
• 4 slices low-fat mozzarella cheese, 30 g.
• 1 teaspoon olive oil

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a large skillet, heat 1 teaspoon olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
2. Add diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, bay leaf, and pepper to the skillet. Bring to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes.
3. Add ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, about 5 minutes. Drain off any excess grease. (Remove bay leaf)
4. Stir in cooked brown rice.
5. Pour the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish. Cover with mozzarella cheese. Bake in preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbly.

Notes

This recipe is approximately 5 WW points per serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 230g
Calories: 290kcal
Carbohydrates: 16g
Protein: 23g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 5.8g
Cholesterol: 64mg
Sodium: 116mg
Potassium: 578mg
Fiber: 2.3g
Sugar: 2.4g
Calcium: 63mg
Iron: 2.8mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

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We hope this easy and delicious Stuffed Pepper Casserole becomes a cherished recipe in your home. Its convenience, comforting flavors, and adaptability make it a perfect choice for any occasion. Enjoy the wholesome goodness and simple pleasure of a home-cooked meal!