Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

You're about to discover a game-changing casserole that transforms traditional stuffed peppers into a crowd-pleasing dish. The Pioneer Woman's recipe takes familiar ingredients—ground beef, rice, and colorful bell peppers—and reimagines them in a one-pan wonder that'll have your family asking for seconds. With minimal prep and maximum flavor, this casserole promises to become your new weeknight go-to meal that's both comforting and easy to prepare.

Recipe Highlights

• A stuffed pepper casserole simplifies the traditional recipe by combining ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and cheese in an easy, deconstructed format.
• The cooking process involves browning beef, adding diced peppers, mixing with pre-cooked rice and marinara, then transferring to a baking dish topped with cheese.
• This one-dish meal takes approximately 30-45 minutes to prepare and bake, making it perfect for quick weeknight family dinners with minimal cleanup.
• Ingredient variations allow customization, such as substituting ground turkey, experimenting with different cheeses, or adding extra spices to suit personal taste preferences.
• The casserole offers a comforting flavor profile that appeals to multiple age groups and can be paired with a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.

History

Although stuffed peppers have roots tracing back to various global cuisines, the Americanized version we know today emerged in the mid-20th century. You'll find that these hearty dishes reflect post-war home cooking trends, when convenience and affordable ingredients became culinary priorities.

Traditional recipes often originated from Eastern European and Mediterranean cooking styles, where bell peppers served as versatile vessels for protein and grains.

During the 1950s and 1960s, home cooks began experimenting with stuffed pepper variations, transforming them from ethnic specialty to mainstream family meal. Regional adaptations emerged, with Midwestern and Southwestern versions featuring unique spice blends and protein combinations.

Recipe

Stuffed Pepper Casserole transforms the traditional labor-intensive dish into a convenient and delicious weeknight meal. Instead of carefully stuffing individual peppers, this casserole allows you to enjoy all the classic flavors with minimal preparation time.

This one-dish wonder combines seasoned ground beef, tender bell peppers, fluffy rice, and melted cheese into a comforting and satisfying meal that the whole family will love. By deconstructing the classic stuffed pepper recipe, you'll save time without sacrificing any of the original's delectable taste.

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds ground beef
• 3 large bell peppers, diced
• 2 cups cooked white rice
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, ensuring it's thoroughly cooked and crumbled. Drain any excess fat from the meat to keep the casserole from becoming greasy.

Add the diced bell peppers to the skillet and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.

Stir the cooked rice and marinara sauce into the beef and pepper mixture, mixing until well combined. Transfer the entire mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.

Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top, creating a generous layer of melty goodness.

Bake the casserole in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling and the casserole is heated through. Allow the dish to rest for 5-10 minutes after removing from the oven to help it set and make serving easier.

For best results, dice the bell peppers into uniform, bite-sized pieces to ensure even cooking and distribution.

You can prepare this casserole up to 24 hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator, adding 10-15 minutes to the baking time if cooking from cold.

Feel free to experiment with different cheese blends or add additional seasonings like garlic powder or Italian herbs to customize the flavor to your liking.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by thoroughly browning your ground beef in a large skillet, making sure to drain off any excess fat for a cleaner, more concentrated flavor.

Next, toss in your diced bell peppers and cook them until they're slightly softened, releasing their sweet, aromatic essence into the meat.

Once you've mixed in the cooked rice and marinara sauce, transfer the entire mixture to a greased baking dish, top generously with shredded cheese, and get ready to transform these ingredients into a mouthwatering casserole that'll have everyone at the table asking for seconds.

Step 1. Brown Beef Thoroughly

When preparing your stuffed pepper casserole, properly browning the ground beef is a critical first step that sets the foundation for flavor and food safety.

You'll want to use a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking the beef into small, uniform crumbles as it cooks.

Watch for these key indicators of perfectly browned meat:

• No pink remaining in the center
• Slightly crispy exterior edges
• Even, golden-brown coloration throughout

Drain excess fat completely to prevent a greasy final dish.

Use a wooden spoon or spatula to continuously stir and prevent sticking, ensuring each piece of beef gets equal heat exposure.

Season with salt and pepper during cooking to enhance the meat's natural flavors.

Don't rush this process – thorough browning develops deep, rich taste that'll make your casserole truly memorable.

Step 2. Add Diced Peppers

After thoroughly browning the ground beef, it's time to introduce diced bell peppers to your skillet. Aim for uniform, bite-sized pieces about 1/2-inch thick, which will ensure even cooking and consistent texture throughout the casserole.

You'll want to add the peppers directly into the skillet with the browned beef, stirring frequently to distribute heat and prevent sticking.

• Cook peppers for 3-4 minutes
• Look for slight softening, not complete breakdown
• Maintain medium heat to preserve pepper structure
• Season lightly with salt and pepper to enhance flavors

As the peppers begin to soften, they'll release subtle moisture, creating a rich base for your casserole.

Watch for a slight translucency and slight reduction in volume, which signals they're perfectly prepared for the next step.

Step 3. Mix Rice and Marinara

A seamless integration of rice and marinara sauce transforms your skillet mixture into a robust, flavor-packed casserole base.

Add your pre-cooked white rice directly into the ground beef and pepper mixture, stirring carefully to distribute evenly. Pour in two cups of marinara sauce, which will bind the ingredients and infuse them with rich, tangy flavor.

• Use a wooden spoon to gently fold ingredients together
• Ensure rice is fully incorporated without breaking grains
• Aim for a consistent, moist texture that isn't too dry or runny

The sauce should coat everything lightly, creating a cohesive mixture that'll hold together perfectly when baked.

You'll want to mix thoroughly but gently, keeping the rice and meat's texture intact while allowing the marinara to weave its delicious seasoning throughout the dish.

Step 4. Transfer to Baking Dish

Carefully slide your sizzling skillet mixture into a generously greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading the ingredients evenly across the surface.

You'll want to use a spatula to ensure every bit of the beef, pepper, rice, and marinara combination gets transferred smoothly.

Make sure the mixture creates an even, consistent layer about 1-2 inches deep. Press down gently with your spatula to compact the ingredients and eliminate any large air pockets. This helps create a more uniform texture and ensures that every bite will have a perfect blend of flavors.

Double-check that the baking dish is large enough to accommodate the entire mixture without overcrowding. A well-distributed layer sets the stage for perfect cheese melting and even heating in the next steps.

Step 5. Top With Cheese

Two generous cups of shredded cheddar cheese will transform your stuffed pepper casserole from good to extraordinary.

You'll want to evenly distribute the cheese across the top of the casserole, ensuring complete coverage. Start by sprinkling the cheese in a uniform layer, covering the meat, rice, and pepper mixture completely.

Here's how to achieve the perfect cheese topping:

• Use freshly shredded cheddar for best melting
• Choose a sharp or medium cheddar for robust flavor
• Aim for complete, edge-to-edge coverage
• Let the cheese melt until golden and bubbly

As you sprinkle the cheese, visualize creating a beautiful, golden blanket that'll crisp slightly around the edges. The cheese won't just add flavor—it'll create a stunning visual finish that'll make your casserole irresistible.

Your family will be impressed by this simple yet transformative final touch.

Final Thoughts

Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner or a crowd-pleasing potluck dish, this stuffed pepper casserole delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.

You'll appreciate how simple ingredients transform into a hearty meal that satisfies both picky eaters and culinary enthusiasts.

The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility: swap ground beef for turkey, experiment with different cheeses, or add extra spices to customize the flavor profile.

Consider making a double batch to freeze for future meals, ensuring you've always got a delicious dinner option on hand.

Pro tip: pair this casserole with a crisp green salad or garlic bread to round out the meal.

With its comforting flavors and easy preparation, this dish is sure to become a family favorite.