Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
Stuffed peppers have always been one of my favorite comfort foods. This Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe gives you all the classic flavors without the extra work.
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 medium onion diced
- 2 green bell peppers chopped
- 1 red bell pepper chopped
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 can 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 can 14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
Cook the Ground Beef
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned. Break the meat into small pieces while cooking. Drain any extra grease before moving to the next step.
Cook the Vegetables
- Add the onion and chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Stir well and cook for about five minutes. The vegetables should become soft but still keep a little bite. Add garlic and cook for one more minute.
Add the Seasonings
- Sprinkle in the salt, black pepper, paprika and Italian seasoning. Stir everything together until the meat and vegetables are coated evenly. These simple spices give the casserole its rich homemade flavor.
Mix the Sauce
- Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes and Worcestershire sauce. Stir until everything is well combined. Let the mixture simmer gently for five minutes so all the flavors blend together.
Add the Rice
- Mix the cooked rice into the beef mixture. Stir slowly until every grain is coated with the tomato sauce. This creates a hearty filling that tastes just like classic stuffed peppers.
Fill the Baking Dish
- Grease a baking dish lightly with cooking spray or butter. Spoon the casserole mixture into the dish and spread it into an even layer. Smooth the top with a spoon before adding cheese.
Add the Cheese
- Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese evenly across the casserole. Make sure every corner gets cheese. This creates a golden, bubbly topping after baking.
Bake the Casserole
- Bake in a preheated 375°F (190°C) oven for about 25 minutes. The cheese should melt completely and turn lightly golden. Remove the casserole carefully and let it rest for five minutes.
Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle fresh parsley over the top before serving. Serve the casserole while it is hot and cheesy. Every bite is packed with beef, peppers, rice, tomato sauce and melted cheese.
Notes
- Use lean ground beef for less grease.
- Try ground turkey instead of beef.
- Brown rice works well for extra fiber.
- Add mushrooms for more vegetables.
- Mix mozzarella with cheddar for extra cheese.
- Add crushed red pepper for heat.
- Prepare the casserole one day ahead.
- Freeze leftovers for easy meals.
- Fresh parsley adds bright flavor.
- Use homemade tomato sauce if available.