Fast Abstract
This Stuffed Pepper Skillet is a simple one-pan dinner made with floor beef, rice, bell peppers, and melty cheese. It has all of the basic flavors of conventional stuffed peppers, with out the additional work! This hearty, family-friendly meal comes collectively in beneath half-hour and is ideal for busy weeknights.

Pin this now to seek out it later
Straightforward Stuffed Pepper Skillet (Unstuffed Peppers!)
If you happen to love basic stuffed peppers however don’t at all times love the time it takes to make them, this recipe goes to be your new go-to. It has all the things you crave…savory meat, tender rice, candy bell peppers, and loads of tacky goodness, nevertheless it all comes collectively in ONE easy skillet.
I’ve made my fair proportion of stuffed peppers over time (and we nonetheless love my basic stuffed peppers and comfy stuffed pepper soup), however this model is the one I flip to when life feels busy. No stuffing, no baking, no additional dishes, only a fast, hearty dinner that at all times hits the spot.
And let me let you know, this isn’t only a shortcut recipe. Cooking all the things collectively in a single pan builds unbelievable taste. The rice soaks up the seasoned broth, the peppers soften completely, and the cheese melts proper into each chunk. It’s comforting, satisfying, and truthfully…simply simpler.
If you happen to’re feeding a hungry household (or simply need leftovers for lunch the subsequent day), that is a type of reliable dinners you’ll come again to many times. It’s excellent for busy weeknights if you want one thing fast however satisfying, nevertheless it’s additionally cozy sufficient for a relaxed Sunday dinner or an informal meal with associates.
I like making it after I need consolation meals with out a whole lot of effort, and bonus, it reheats fantastically, making it an awesome possibility for meal prep too. It’s an all-around DINNER WINNER!
Components (with Useful Notes)

- Floor beef or turkey: Beef provides richness, turkey retains it lighter, use your favourite! Each work nice!
- Bell peppers: A mixture of colours provides sweetness and visible enchantment. Pink and yellow are particularly flavorful.
- Onion: Don’t skip, it builds the bottom taste of the dish.
- Garlic: Contemporary is greatest for daring taste.
- Tomato paste: That is key! Letting it prepare dinner briefly deepens the flavour.
- Hearth-roasted diced tomatoes: Provides a refined smoky taste that makes the dish additional scrumptious.
- Lengthy grain white rice: Cooks completely within the skillet, no have to pre-cook.
- Broth: Beef broth provides richness, however rooster or vegetable broth works nice too.
- Worcestershire sauce: Provides a savory, umami increase you don’t need to skip.
- Italian seasoning & paprika: Basic flavors that mimic conventional stuffed peppers.
- Crushed pink pepper flakes: Elective, however nice if you happen to like somewhat warmth.
- Mozzarella & cheddar cheese: The combo offers you the right melty, tacky end.
- Parmesan & parsley: Elective, however extremely beneficial for garnish and taste.
Suggestions for Making the Finest Stuffed Pepper Skillet
- Use a big, deep skillet with a tight-fitting lid so all the things cooks evenly and the rice can correctly steam.
- Rinse the rice earlier than you begin cooking to take away extra starch and forestall it from getting gummy.
- Cook dinner the meat and onion till properly browned, don’t rush this step, it builds the bottom taste of the complete dish. Drain extra grease if wanted.
- Chop the peppers into even items so that they soften on the similar fee and provide the excellent texture all through.
- Add the garlic final and prepare dinner briefly so it doesn’t burn and switch bitter.
- Let the tomato paste prepare dinner for 1–2 minutes earlier than including liquids, this deepens the flavour and provides richness.
- Hold a delicate, regular simmer as soon as all the things is added (not a fast boil) so the rice cooks evenly.
- Make sure that the skillet is roofed with a good lid whereas simmering to entice steam, that is key for completely cooked rice.
- Verify the rice towards the top of cooking. If it’s not fairly tender and the pan seems dry, add a splash of broth and proceed cooking.
- Style and regulate seasoning earlier than including the cheese so all the things is well-balanced.
- Use freshly shredded cheese for the perfect soften, and canopy the skillet to assist it soften shortly and evenly.
- Let the skillet relaxation for a couple of minutes earlier than serving so it thickens barely and the flavors settle.
- In case your pan tends to run scorching, decrease the warmth throughout simmering to forestall the underside from scorching.
- For leftovers, add a splash of broth when reheating to maintain the rice tender and the dish from drying out.
How one can Retailer & Reheat
- Fridge: Retailer in an hermetic container for as much as 4 days.
- Freezer: Freeze for as much as 2 months (cool utterly first).
- Reheat: Heat on the stovetop or within the microwave with a splash of broth to loosen it up.

Stuffed Pepper Skillet (Straightforward Unstuffed Peppers)
A fast and simple one-pan stuffed pepper skillet made with floor beef, rice, bell peppers, and melty cheese. All of the basic flavors of stuffed peppers, with out the additional work!
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound floor beef, or floor turkey
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 pink bell pepper, stemmed, seeds eliminated, and chopped
- 1 yellow bell pepper, stemmed, seeds eliminated, and chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 (14.5 oz) can diced fireplace roasted tomatoes
- 1 cup lengthy grain white rice, rinsed
- 2 cups beef broth, can use rooster or vegetable broth
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- Sprint of crushed pink pepper flakes, non-compulsory
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- For garnish: Freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped contemporary parsley, non-compulsory
-
Cook dinner the meat and onion: Warmth the olive oil in a deep 12-innch skillet over medium-high warmth. Add the bottom beef and diced onion. Cook dinner, breaking apart the meat, till browned and the onion is softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain extra grease if wanted.
-
Add the peppers and garlic: Stir within the chopped bell peppers and prepare dinner for 3–4 minutes, till barely softened. Add the garlic and prepare dinner for 1 minute, till aromatic.
-
Add tomato paste: Stir within the tomato paste and prepare dinner for 1–2 minutes, letting it caramelize barely for deeper taste.
-
Add liquids and rice: Stir within the diced fireplace roasted tomatoes (with juices), rice, broth, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, black pepper, and crushed pink pepper flakes (if utilizing). Stir properly to mix.
-
Simmer: Deliver the combination to a simmer, then scale back warmth to low, you continue to desire a regular simmer. Cowl the pan with a lid and prepare dinner for 18–22 minutes, or till the rice is tender and a lot of the liquid is absorbed. If the rice isn’t fairly tender and the skillet seems dry, add somewhat additional broth (just a few tablespoons at a time) till all the things finishes cooking.
-
Add cheese: Give the combination stir. Style and add salt and pepper, if needed. Sprinkle the mozzarella and cheddar cheese evenly excessive. Cowl the skillet and let it sit for two–3 minutes, or till the cheese is melted.
-
End and serve: Take away from warmth. Garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and chopped parsley, if desired. Serve heat.
- ou can use floor beef or floor turkey—each work nice! Turkey is a lighter possibility, whereas beef provides a richer taste.
- Rinse the rice earlier than including it to the skillet for the perfect texture.
- If the rice isn’t absolutely cooked and the skillet seems dry, add a splash of broth and proceed cooking till tender.
- Use a lid whereas simmering so the rice cooks correctly in a single pan.
- For the perfect soften, use freshly shredded cheese as an alternative of pre-shredded.
- This recipe reheats properly, simply add somewhat broth when warming to maintain it from drying out.
- Be happy to swap in your favourite bell pepper colours or add additional veggies like zucchini or mushrooms.
Energy: 390kcal, Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 24g, Fats: 18g, Saturated Fats: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fats: 1g, Monounsaturated Fats: 10g, Ldl cholesterol: 70mg, Sodium: 793mg, Potassium: 507mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 1139IU, Vitamin C: 65mg, Calcium: 212mg, Iron: 3mg
Have you ever tried this recipe?
Depart a remark beneath and share a photograph on Instagram. Tag @twopeasandpod and hashtag it with #twopeasandtheirpod
Variations to Strive
- Make it low-carb: Swap the rice for cauliflower rice (scale back broth and cooking time).
- Spice it up: Add diced jalapeños or additional pink pepper flakes.
- Mexican-inspired: Use taco seasoning, black beans, and pepper jack cheese.
- Additional veggies: Stir in zucchini, mushrooms, or spinach.
- Completely different grains: Strive brown rice (enhance prepare dinner time and liquid) or quinoa.
Serving Strategies
This stuffed pepper skillet is an entire meal, nevertheless it pairs completely with a easy inexperienced salad or roasted greens for a contemporary distinction. If you’d like one thing additional comforting, serve it with garlic bread or crusty bread to take in the sauce. For a lighter possibility, a fast cucumber salad provides a shiny, refreshing contact.

Extra Straightforward Skillet Dinner Recipes

