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Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe

4.4 from 118 reviews

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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. Bring to a Boil: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. This typically takes about 5 minutes.
  5. 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.
  6. 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