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Dump-and-bake stuffed pepper casserole with visible peppers, ground beef, and rice.

Dump-and-Bake Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This easy dump-and-bake stuffed pepper casserole combines all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed peppers in a convenient, one-dish meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 6 people
Calories 400 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 pound lean ground beef or ground turkey (450g)
  • 2-3 bell peppers cored and diced
  • 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice not instant or quick-cooking
  • 1 can diced tomatoes, undrained (15-ounce / 400g) (or 1 (8-ounce / 220g) can tomato sauce)
  • 1 can tomato sauce (15-ounce / 425g) (or tomato puree)
  • 1 ½ cups beef or chicken broth low sodium preferred
  • 1 small onion finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced (or 1 teaspoon garlic powder)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • Salt and black pepper to taste

For Topping (Optional)

  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese for topping (optional)

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.

Combining and Baking

  • In the baking dish, combine the ground meat, bell peppers, rice, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, onion, garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika.
  • Mix all ingredients thoroughly with your hands or a spoon, breaking up the ground meat and seasoning generously with salt and pepper.
  • Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  • Remove the foil, stir gently, and sprinkle with cheese if using.
  • Bake uncovered for another 15-20 minutes until the rice is cooked, the meat is browned, and the cheese is melted and bubbly; you can broil briefly for extra browning.

Resting and Serving

  • Let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes after baking before serving.

Notes

For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. You can also vary the cheese type based on your preference; cheddar or a Mexican blend works well. This casserole is great for meal prepping and freezes well for future meals.