Stuffed pepper casserole is made with sautéed peppers and onions cooked with seasoned ground beef and rice in a flavorful tomato sauce then covered in mozzarella cheese and baked until hot and bubbly.

From the recipe collection of Tara Ippolito

Have a delicious dinner on the table in under an hour with a super easy to make stuffed pepper casserole. Traditional stuffed peppers can be labor of love at times. Between work, school and kids extra curricular activities we just simply don’t always have the time. This recipe is a great way to get all the flavors of the traditional stuffed pepper dinner but with much less of the hassle.

Instead of slicing into those bell peppers, everything is already chopped into perfect bit sized pieces. I usually serve this to my family on cold fall and winter nights when I know they all could really use something hearty to warm them up. You don’t have to wait for the cold weather to start rolling in though. This casserole recipe is delicious all year around.

Ingredients

Heres what you'll need to make this delicious meal. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Olive Oil- Helps the vegetables soften up.
Bell Peppers- Brings, a burst of color, texture and substance.
Onion- Adds a subtle sweetness once sauteed.
Ground Beef- Makes this casserole hearty and filling.
Fresh Garlic- Adds aromatics and homemade flavor.
Tomato Paste- Brings lots of concentrated tomato flavor.
Canned Diced Tomatoes- Adds texture and just the right amount of acidity.
Beef Broth- Keeps the casserole moist and enhances the ground beef flavor.
Cooked White Rice- Absorbs all the delicious flavors of the sauce and keeps the casserole filling.
Mozzarella Cheese- Adds a creamy, cheesy texture and finish.
Salt- Enhances the flavors of all the other ingredients.
Pepper- Cuts through the richness of the filling.
Italian Seasoning- Adds the perfect amount of Italian herbs and spices.
Garlic Powder- Adds a nice garlic flavor throughout the casserole.
Parsley- An optional garnish that adds a nice pop of color.

How To Make It

Heres how to make this delicious casserole. You can find the full ingredients list along with measurements and instructions on the recipe card below.

Preheat the oven to 375°

First, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and add the sliced peppers and onion. Season them with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning and sauté for 7- 10 minutes or until soft. Add the ground beef break it down into small pieces while it cooks. Once the beef has browned, drain the fat and lightly it with a little more salt and pepper.

cooked ground beef and vegetables in skillet

Next, stir in the chopped garlic and tomato paste for 1- 2 minutes. Then, stir in the diced tomatoes and beef broth. Add the cooked white rice and re season everything with a little more salt, pepper, garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.

stuffed pepper casserole filling in skillet

Next, add the mixture to a greased baking dish and smooth it out so that it’s flat and even. Sprinkle the top with shredded mozzarella cheese. Place the baking dish into the center rack of the oven until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Finally, let it rest, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy.

Do I Have To Use Ground Beef?

No, ground turkey, chicken or sausage would all be great substitutes.

What Can I Serve This With?

This casserole is a complete meal on its own so the sides can be kept simple. A garden salad or some Homemade Italian Garlic Bread would be great.

Storage

Let the casserole cool completely and place it into a food safe air tight container. It will last in the fridge for up to three days. This recipe freezes well, too. Just place it into an air tight freezer safe food container and it will last for up to three months.