Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This hearty Stuffed Pepper Casserole combines browned ground beef, onions, bell peppers, garlic, white rice, and tomatoes all topped with cheddar and Monterey Jack Cheese.

Course main meal beef/dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword ground beef and bell pepper casserole, stuffed bell pepper casserole

Prep Time 25

Cook Time 1 15

Servings servings

Calories 407kcal

Author Beth Pierce

Ingredients

1 lb. ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
1 red bell pepper cored seeded, and diced
1 orange bell pepper cored seeded, and diced
3 cloves garlic minced
1 teaspoon chili powder
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon fresh ground black peppers
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
2 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups beef broth
1 14.5 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes or diced tomatoes
1 ½ cups uncooked long grain white rice
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 9x13 inch (or equivalent sized) dish
In a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat brown the ground beef. When the ground beef is about halfway browned add the onion, red bell pepper, and orange bell pepper. Cook until the onions are soft and the peppers are starting to soften. Drain any excess grease. Reduce the heat to low and add the garlic, chili powder, ground cumin, kosher salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes cooking for 1 minute while stirring.
Remove from the heat. Whisk together the tomato paste and 1 cup beef broth. Add the tomato paste mixture, remaining beef broth, fire roasted tomatoes, and rice to the skillet and stir to combine. If not using a Dutch oven or ovenproof skillet then spoon it into the prepared baking dish. Top with Monterey Jack and cheddar cheese.
Cover the casserole, pot, or skillet with aluminum foil and bake for 1 hour. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes or until the rice is tender.

Notes

Any colored bell pepper works in this recipe. I have used green, red, orange, and yellow peppers with great results.
Use uncooked long grain white rice for this recipe. Brown rice requires too much time to cook and minute rice overcooks with this recipe.
You can substitute ground turkey, ground chicken, or ground pork.
Grease the casserole for easy clean up.
For a little more heat try adding a little more red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, minced jalapeno, or minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce. Just remember to add a little at a time and taste test.
For a change of pace try different cheeses like Pepper Jack, queso quesadilla, American Cheese, or Asadero Cheese.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave at a reduced power.

Nutrition