Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers recipe offers all the comforting flavors of traditional stuffed peppers in an easy-to-make skillet dish. Ground beef, fragrant herbs, savory tomato sauce, colorful bell peppers, and tender rice come together in one pan, topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a hearty and satisfying meal perfect for weeknight dinners.
- Author: luca
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Base Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb ground beef
- ½ cup diced onion
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 cups diced red bell pepper (orange or yellow work too!)
- 2 cups low sodium beef broth
- 15 oz can tomato sauce
- 1 cup dry white rice
Herbs and Spices
- ½ teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Heat Oil and Cook Beef: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and cooked through.
- Sauté Onions and Garlic: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the pan with the browned beef. Sauté everything together for 3 minutes until the onions are translucent and fragrant.
- Add Vegetables and Liquids: Stir in the diced bell peppers, beef broth, tomato sauce, dry white rice, dried basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Bring to a Boil: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. This typically takes about 5 minutes.
- Simmer and Cook Rice: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and keep the pan covered. Cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring every few minutes, until almost all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is tender and thoroughly cooked.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the cooked mixture. Cover the pan again and cook on low heat until the cheese melts, creating a creamy, cheesy topping.
Notes
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based meat and use vegetable broth.
- White rice can be replaced with brown rice, but increase cooking time accordingly as brown rice needs longer to cook.
- Use low sodium beef broth to control the sodium content in the dish.
- Feel free to add more herbs such as thyme or rosemary for extra flavor.
- Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely on the stovetop or microwave.
Keywords: deconstructed stuffed peppers, stuffed peppers skillet, ground beef and rice recipe, easy weeknight dinner, one pan meals, bell pepper recipes