This baked stuffed pepper casserole delivers all of the comforting flavors of traditional Italian stuffed peppers with a fraction of the hassle. Layer a savory mixture of seasoned beef, tomatoes, peppers, and onions in a dish, high it with melty mozzarella, and bake till bubbly. It’s splendid for a comfy weeknight dinner or a make-ahead meal that’s simply as scrumptious the following day. One chew, and it’s certain to turn into a favourite in your recipe lineup!

Why You’ll Love Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This straightforward beef-and-rice stuffed pepper casserole dinner shall be in your weekly meal rotation for some time.

• Versatile: Swap the meat for floor turkey, add a kick of spice with pink pepper flakes, or serve it as a dip with crispy tortilla chips.
• Hearty: Each chew is filled with savory beef, tender veggies like peppers and onions, and completely cooked brown rice.
• Weeknight-Pleasant: Prep it forward of time and bake it simply earlier than dinner. It’s as straightforward because it will get!
• Italian-Impressed: Basic herbs like basil, oregano, and fennel seeds give this casserole a saucy, irresistible Italian twist.

What You’ll Want

Right here’s a fast take a look at the elements you’ll must throw this casserole collectively in addition to helpful ingredient swaps. For the precise ingredient quantities, please scroll to the recipe card on the backside of the submit.

• Avocado oil – Be happy to make use of olive, coconut, corn, vegetable, or canola oil.
• Floor beef – Be certain it’s utterly thawed if you happen to use frozen floor beef.
• Yellow onion – White onion works too.
• Bell peppers – You want pink, inexperienced, and yellow ones.
• Garlic – Contemporary garlic, garlic paste, and garlic powder are all effective. If you happen to use garlic powder, add 1 teaspoon of it.
• Herbs – You want dried basil, oregano, and fennel seeds.
• Salt and pepper – Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper are finest.
• Fireplace-roasted tomatoes – Common canned tomatoes are a superb swap however you’ll want to combine in 2 teaspoons smoked paprika, 1 teaspoon chipotle powder, or 1/4 teaspoon liquid smoke.
• Tomato sauce – I favor plain tomato sauce over seasoned ones as a result of it provides you full management over the flavour.
• Lengthy-grain brown rice – Lengthy-grain white rice is okay as effectively however cut back the baking time to 30-40 minutes because it cooks sooner.
• Beef bone broth – Attempt to discover a low-sodium model. You too can use veggie broth or water.
• Mozzarella cheese – Any melty cheese like mozzarella, Muenster, or delicate cheddar will do.

Find out how to Make Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This temporary overview ought to provide you with an concept of how straightforward making this Italian stuffed pepper casserole actually is. When you add the tomato sauce and broth to the skillet, switch all the pieces to the casserole dish rapidly so the liquid doesn’t evaporate. You can find the recipe card on the backside of the submit with extra detailed step-by-step directions.

• Prep the oven. Preheat the oven to 375F. Seize a 13×9″ casserole dish and set it apart. You too can line it with parchment.
• Brown the meat. Add the oil to a big skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the bottom beef and sautée it for 5-7 minutes or till browned.
• Add the veggies. Stir within the bell peppers and onions. Prepare dinner all the pieces for an additional 4 minutes or till gentle and aromatic.

• Season it. Combine within the garlic, basil, oregano, fennel, salt, and pepper. Stir to mix. Add the fireplace roasted tomatoes, tomato sauce, rice, and bone broth. Combine effectively.
• Bake it. Switch the combination to the casserole dish. Sprinkle with mozzarella. Cowl with foil and bake for 40-45 minutes or till the rice is tender and cooked via.
• Serve. Take away the casserole from the oven. Let cool for 5-10 minutes. Garnish with contemporary parsley and luxuriate in!

Ideas and Variation Concepts

This part will assist you nail a perfectly-cooked, tacky casserole each time and even get artistic with the add-ins and spices for a smokey Tex-Mex or refreshing Greek vibe.

• Swap the protein. Use floor hen, pork, or turkey as an alternative of floor beef for a simple variation.
• Make it spicy. Finely chop up 1/4-1/2 jalapeño or serrano chili and stir it into the beef-veggie combination for a kick of warmth. Including 1/2-1 teaspoon pink pepper flakes or cayenne pepper works too.
• Use leftovers. Chop up leftover Tacky Bacon Stuffed Peppers, Southwestern Turkey Stuffed Peppers, or Italian Stuffed Peppers and stir them into the skillet to cut back meals waste.
• Add a Greek twist. Stir 1/2 tablespoon dried dill into the veggie-beef combination. Garnish the casserole with crumbled feta cheese, 1/4 cup sliced inexperienced olives, and 1/4 cup sliced pink onions.
• Extra veggies. Stirring 1 cup sliced mushrooms, candy peas, or broccoli florets into the meat combination within the skillet may help you sneak extra veggies into your meals.
• Go Tex-Mex. Swap the basil and fennel seeds for 3 teaspoons taco seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon floor cumin, and 1 teaspoon paprika. Combine 1/2 cup crumbled bacon, 1 cup candy corn, and 1/2 cup black beans (strained) into the meat combination. High with crumbled pork rinds, sliced avocado, and Pico de Gallo.
• Make it an appetizer. Flip this recipe into an appetizer by serving it with crispy Baked Pita Chips, Air Fryer Wonton Chips, or tortilla chips.

Serving Recommendations

This hearty stuffed pepper casserole is a simple weeknight dinner. I really like pairing it with Bacon Inexperienced Bean Bundles and Garlic Herb Roasted Potatoes. My Prompt Pot Corn on the Cob is one other traditional aspect. For fast air fryer sides to go along with your meal, strive my Air Fryer Asparagus and Air Fryer Inexperienced Beans. If you happen to favor bread, strive toasted baguette slices, sourdough, focaccia, or pita bread.

Find out how to Retailer and Reheat

This can be a prep-friendly recipe that lets you prep forward for the week and even make and freeze the casserole months upfront.

• Fridge: Place it in an hermetic container for as much as 5 days.
• Freezer: Switch the casserole to freezer baggage in serving measurement parts. You too can cowl the casserole dish tightly with foil after which wrap it with plastic wrap twice. Freeze for as much as 3 months. Thaw in a single day within the fridge and reheat as typical.
• To reheat it: Microwave it in 20-second increments, stirring between each till heat. You too can use the oven at 300F for 30-35 minutes.

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