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.
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.
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.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
Equipment
- 9" x 13" baking dish
Ingredients
- 2 Tbs Olive Oil
- 1 Red Bell Pepper, sliced thin
- 1 Green Bell Pepper, sliced thin
- 1 Yellow Bell Pepper, sliced thin
- 1 Large Onion, sliced
- 3 Cloves Garlic, minced
- 1 Pound Ground Beef
- 6 Oz Tomato Paste
- 14 Oz Diced Tomatoes
- 1 Cups Beef Broth
- 2 Cups White Rice, cooked
- 1 Cup Mozzarella Cheese, hand shredded
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 1 Tbs Garlic Powder (divided)
- 2 Tbs Italian Seasoning (divided)
- Parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat and add the sliced peppers and onion. Season them with salt, pepper and half of the Italian seasoning. Sauté for 7-10 minutes or until soft. Add the ground beef and break it into small pieces while it cooks. Once the beef has browned, drain the fat and lightly it with a little more salt and pepper.
- 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, the rest of the garlic powder and Italian seasoning. Stir to combine.
- 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, uncovered, for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sides are hot and bubbly. Finally, let it rest for 5 - 10 minutes, garnish with parsley (optional) and enjoy.
Video
Other Easy Casserole Recipes
If you like super easy to make casserole recipes like this one, you have to try this Sloppy Joe Casserole, Cowboy Biscuit Casserole and Easy Swiss Chicken Casserole.
Al Dente Diva says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Carol Martinez says
I’ve made this dish several times and it’s always delicious! I cut the bell peppers into bite size pieces instead of strips but besides that I follow this recipe exactly.
Anonymous says
I made this stuffed pepper casserole dish on 2/25/2025, and it tastes good ???!!! And pretty easy to make.
Zelda
Al Dente Diva says
Would tomato puree work?
Anonymous says
I can’t have diced tomatoes bc of tomato seeds. Could I substitute something in its place?
Al Dente Diva says
1 pound ?
funsecret533312c13d says
How much ground beef?