Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole Recipe

Craving a comforting meal that transforms classic stuffed peppers into an easy casserole? You'll love how this recipe simplifies your weeknight cooking while delivering big, bold flavors. By layering seasoned ground beef, tender rice, and vibrant bell peppers under a blanket of melted mozzarella, you'll create a dish that's both convenient and delicious. The best part? It comes together quickly and offers maximum satisfaction with minimal effort.

Recipe Highlights

• Combine browned ground beef, cooked rice, sliced bell peppers, marinara sauce, and mozzarella cheese in a layered casserole dish for an easy one-pan meal.
• Bake the casserole at 350°F for 25-30 minutes, covering with foil initially and uncovering near the end to allow cheese to brown and crisp.
• Prep ingredients ahead of time by browning beef, cooking rice, and slicing peppers, then assemble the casserole and refrigerate until ready to bake.
• Drain excess fat from ground beef and ensure uniform bell pepper slices for even cooking and consistent flavor distribution throughout the dish.
• Serve the casserole with a side salad, crusty bread, and optional garnishes like fresh herbs or hot sauce to enhance the meal's appeal.

History

While stuffed peppers have roots in various global cuisines, the American version we know today emerged in the early 20th century as home cooks sought creative ways to combine affordable proteins with vegetables.

European immigrants brought diverse stuffing techniques, blending their traditional recipes with readily available American ingredients. You'll find that Hungarian, Polish, and Greek culinary traditions significantly influenced this dish's evolution.

By the 1950s, stuffed peppers became a quintessential mid-century meal, reflecting the era's love for hearty, economical recipes. Home economics classes and community cookbooks popularized the concept, teaching you how to transform simple ingredients into a satisfying family dinner.

Regional variations emerged, with Southwestern and Midwestern interpretations adding unique spices and fillings to the classic recipe.

Recipe

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole offers all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed peppers with a fraction of the preparation time. This one-dish wonder transforms the classic recipe into an easy, weeknight-friendly meal that brings comfort and satisfaction to the dinner table.

The beauty of this casserole lies in its simplicity and adaptability. By layering ingredients instead of meticulously stuffing individual peppers, home cooks can create a hearty, flavorful dish that comes together quickly and delivers maximum taste with minimal effort.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb ground beef
• 3 large bell peppers, diced
• 1 cup white rice
• 24 oz marinara sauce
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, breaking it into small crumbles and seasoning with salt and pepper. Once fully cooked, drain any excess fat and set the beef aside.

In a separate pot, cook the white rice according to package instructions until tender and fluffy.

Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13 inch baking dish. Layer the cooked rice evenly across the bottom of the dish, then top with the browned ground beef and diced bell peppers. Pour the marinara sauce over the layers, ensuring even coverage. Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top, creating a generous, melty layer.

For best results, choose bell peppers that are firm and vibrant in color. The casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, making it an excellent option for meal prep.

If baking from cold, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat beautifully in the microwave or oven.

Cooking Steps

You'll want to start by browning the ground beef thoroughly in a skillet, ensuring it's crumbly and no longer pink, which creates a rich, savory base for your casserole.

Next, carefully layer your cooked ingredients—rice, beef, diced peppers, and marinara sauce—in your baking dish, making sure each component is evenly distributed for balanced flavor in every bite.

Finally, sprinkle a generous layer of mozzarella cheese across the top, creating a golden, bubbling surface that'll transform your casserole into a mouthwatering meal that'll have everyone asking for seconds.

Step 1. Brown Ground Beef

Fire up your skillet and get ready to transform raw ground beef into a delicious, browned base for your stuffed bell pepper casserole.

Select a large skillet and set it over medium-high heat, allowing it to warm for about a minute. Break the ground beef into the pan, using a wooden spoon to crumble it into small, uniform pieces.

Cook the meat, stirring frequently to ensure even browning and prevent sticking.

Watch for these key signs of perfectly browned beef:

• No visible pink areas
• Meat develops a rich, golden-brown color
• Sizzling sound becomes more consistent

Once browned, carefully drain excess fat using a colander.

Pat the meat with paper towels to remove additional grease, ensuring a cleaner, more concentrated flavor for your casserole.

Step 2. Cook Rice Thoroughly

Master the art of perfectly cooked rice by selecting a medium saucepan and measuring your ingredients with precision.

Pour 1 cup of white rice and 2 cups of water into the pan, adding a pinch of salt for flavor enhancement. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over high heat, then immediately reduce to low, covering the saucepan with a tight-fitting lid.

• Set a timer for 18-20 minutes
• Avoid lifting the lid during cooking
• Listen for a gentle, steamy simmer

Once time's elapsed, remove from heat and let the rice rest, covered, for 5 minutes.

Fluff gently with a fork, separating the grains to achieve a light, fluffy texture. Your rice is now perfectly prepared for layering in the stuffed bell pepper casserole.

Step 3. Layer Ingredients Carefully

After perfectly cooking your rice, it's time to transform those fluffy grains into a mouthwatering casserole. Start by spreading the cooked rice evenly across the bottom of a 9×13 baking dish, creating a uniform base layer that'll catch all the delicious flavors.

Next, carefully distribute the browned ground beef over the rice, ensuring complete coverage. Sprinkle the diced bell peppers strategically across the meat, creating colorful pockets of vegetable goodness.

Pour the marinara sauce slowly and evenly, allowing it to weave between the meat and peppers. Finally, generously top the casserole with shredded mozzarella, making sure to cover the entire surface for that irresistible golden, melty finish.

Your careful layering guarantees every bite will be perfectly balanced and delicious.

Step 4. Sprinkle Cheese Generously

A snow-white blanket of mozzarella can transform your stuffed bell pepper casserole from good to absolutely irresistible.

You'll want to sprinkle the cheese with purpose, creating an even, generous layer that covers the entire casserole surface. Use about 2 cups of shredded mozzarella, distributing it carefully to ensure maximum coverage. The cheese should look like a thick, uniform blanket that'll melt into golden, bubbling perfection.

Key cheese-sprinkling tips:

• Shred cheese fresh for best melting
• Spread cheese in an even, consistent layer
• Allow cheese to reach edges of the baking dish
• Don't compress the cheese – let it sit loosely

When the casserole emerges from the oven, you'll see a beautifully golden, slightly crispy cheese top that promises incredible flavor and texture.

Step 5. Bake Until Golden Brown

When you're ready to transform your casserole into a golden-brown masterpiece, carefully transfer the prepared dish to a preheated 350°F oven.

Position the casserole on the center rack, ensuring even heat distribution. Watch for key visual cues that signal perfect doneness:

• Cheese melts completely
• Edges turn slightly crispy
• Surface develops a light golden-brown color
• Sauce bubbles gently around the edges

Bake for 25-30 minutes, checking periodically to prevent over-browning.

You'll know it's ready when the cheese looks beautifully melted and slightly caramelized. The top should have a uniform golden hue, with small browned spots indicating perfect caramelization.

Once done, remove from the oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes, allowing the casserole to set and flavors to meld.

Final Thoughts

Though stuffed bell pepper casserole might seem intimidating, you'll find this recipe is surprisingly approachable and forgiving for home cooks of all skill levels. You'll discover that layering ingredients creates a delicious meal with minimal effort, transforming traditional stuffed peppers into a weeknight-friendly dish.

Key tips to remember:

• Always drain excess fat from ground beef
• Choose fresh, vibrant bell peppers
• Ensure even cheese coverage
• Let the casserole rest 5-10 minutes after baking