Stuffed Pepper Casserole

Servings

4–6 servings

Ingredients

• 1 lb (450 g) ground beef or ground turkey

• 1 tablespoon olive oil (optional)

• 1 small onion, chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), chopped

• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes

• 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

• 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or cauliflower rice)

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

• 1 teaspoon paprika

• ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)

• ½ teaspoon black pepper

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese

• Optional: fresh parsley or basil

Instructions

1. Cook meat
   In a large skillet or pot, heat olive oil. Add onion and cook until soft. Add garlic and ground meat; cook until browned. Drain excess fat.

2. Add vegetables & seasoning
   Stir in chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.

3. Simmer
   Cover and simmer on medium-low heat for 10–15 minutes until peppers are tender.

4. Add rice
   Stir in cooked rice and mix well.

5. Bake
   Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish. Top with cheese.
   Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes until bubbly and golden.

6. Rest & serve
   Let rest 5 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and serve.

❓ Q & A

Q1: Can I make this without rice?
Yes! Use cauliflower rice for a low-carb option or skip rice entirely.

Q2: Can I make it ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole, cover, and refrigerate up to 24 hours before baking.

Q3: Can I freeze stuffed pepper casserole?
Yes. Freeze fully cooked or unbaked casserole for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.

Q4: What meat works best?
Ground beef, turkey, or chicken all work well. Turkey is lighter; beef is more traditional.

Q5: How do I make it spicy?
Add red pepper flakes, cayenne, or diced jalapeños.

Q6: Is this Weight Watchers–friendly?
Yes. Use lean turkey, reduce cheese, and swap rice for cauliflower rice to lower points.

Q7: Can I cook this without an oven?
Yes. After adding rice, cover and cook on low heat on the stovetop for 5–10 minutes, then add cheese and cover until melted.

Tips & Variations

• 🧀 Add cream cheese for extra creaminess

• 🌱 Make it vegetarian with lentils or beans

• 🍅 Add corn or mushrooms for extra veggies