Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
If you're craving a delicious, no-fuss dinner that'll satisfy your whole family, stuffed pepper casserole is your answer. You'll transform traditional stuffed peppers into a streamlined, one-dish marvel that combines hearty ground beef, tender rice, and vibrant bell peppers, all smothered in rich marinara and melted cheese. This recipe promises to simplify your weeknight cooking while delivering maximum flavor—and you won't believe how easy it is to create.
Recipe Highlights
- A classic stuffed pepper casserole combines ground beef, chopped bell peppers, rice, marinara sauce, and shredded cheese in a simple one-dish meal.
- Brown ground beef and bell peppers, then mix with rice and marinara sauce before transferring to a 9×13 inch baking dish topped with cheese.
- The recipe can be easily customized by substituting ground beef with turkey or experimenting with different cheese varieties and seasonings like garlic powder or paprika.
- Preparation time is minimal, with the option to make the casserole in advance and refrigerate for up to 24 hours before baking.
- This comforting, budget-friendly casserole serves as a satisfying weeknight dinner that appeals to all ages and can be adapted to various dietary preferences.
History
Although stuffed peppers have roots in various global cuisines, the American-style stuffed pepper casserole emerged as a practical, budget-friendly meal during the mid-20th century.
You'll find its origins deeply connected to home economics and post-World War II cooking trends, where resourceful home cooks transformed traditional dishes into more manageable formats.
During the 1950s and 1960s, casseroles became culinary staples, reflecting:
- Convenience for busy families
- Economical ingredient usage
- One-dish meal efficiency
Midwestern and Southern home cooks particularly embraced this adaptation, turning labor-intensive stuffed peppers into a streamlined, accessible recipe.
The casserole format allowed for easier preparation, reduced cooking time, and maintained the hearty, comforting flavors of the original dish.
Recipe
Stuffed Pepper Casserole transforms the classic stuffed pepper dish into a simplified, delicious meal that captures all the traditional flavors with minimal effort. This hearty casserole brings together ground beef, rice, bell peppers, and marinara sauce, creating a comforting one-dish wonder that's perfect for busy weeknight dinners.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and flexibility, allowing home cooks to quickly prepare a satisfying meal that brings together the essence of stuffed peppers without the complex stuffing process. By deconstructing the original dish, this casserole ensures every bite is packed with flavor and requires minimal preparation time.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound ground beef
- 3 large bell peppers, chopped
- 1 cup long-grain white rice
- 2 cups shredded cheese
- 24 oz marinara sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
Begin by browning the ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat, carefully draining any excess fat once cooked. Add the chopped bell peppers to the skillet and cook until they begin to soften, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes.
Stir in the cooked rice and marinara sauce, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
Transfer the mixture to a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface. Top the casserole with shredded cheese, ensuring complete coverage.
Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the casserole is heated completely through.
For best results, consider cooking the rice ahead of time and allowing it to cool slightly before mixing with other ingredients.
The casserole can be prepared in advance and refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking, which makes it an excellent option for meal prep. If baking directly from the refrigerator, add an extra 10-15 minutes to the cooking time to ensure it's heated thoroughly.
Cooking Steps
You'll start by browning the ground beef thoroughly in a large skillet, ensuring it's cooked through and excess fat is drained.
Next, add your diced bell peppers and cook them until they're slightly softened, releasing their sweet aroma into the meat.
Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish by stirring in the cooked rice and marinara sauce, then top generously with shredded cheese before baking at 350°F for a perfectly melted, bubbly finish.
Step 1. Brown Ground Beef Thoroughly
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add your ground beef, breaking it into smaller pieces with a wooden spoon or spatula.
Cook the meat evenly, stirring frequently to prevent sticking and ensure uniform browning.
Watch for these key indicators of properly browned beef:
- No pink remaining in the meat
- Golden-brown exterior
- Sizzling sound while cooking
- Slight caramelization developing
Drain excess fat using a colander, tilting the skillet to let grease run off completely.
This step prevents a greasy casserole and concentrates the beef's rich flavor.
Pat the meat with paper towels if additional fat removal is needed.
Proper browning develops deep, meaty flavors crucial to your stuffed pepper casserole's overall taste profile.
Aim for a consistent, even cook that transforms raw ground beef into a perfectly seasoned base for your dish.
Step 2. Add Diced Bell Peppers
After browning the ground beef and draining excess fat, your next culinary move transforms the skillet into a vibrant pepper preparation zone.
Dice your bell peppers into uniform, roughly 1/2-inch pieces, ensuring consistent cooking and texture throughout the casserole. Aim for about 3 cups of chopped peppers, which translates to approximately 3 large peppers.
Drop the diced peppers into the same skillet, allowing them to sizzle and soften over medium heat. Stir frequently to prevent sticking and promote even caramelization.
You'll want the peppers to become tender but not mushy, typically taking 4-5 minutes. Watch for slight translucency and a gentle golden edge as your visual doneness cue.
These peppers will provide a sweet, robust foundation for your stuffed pepper casserole.
Step 3. Stir in Rice, Marinara Sauce
Dive into the heart of your stuffed pepper casserole by introducing long-grain white rice and marinara sauce to the skillet. Measure out 1 cup of pre-cooked rice, allowing it to cool slightly to prevent soggy texture.
Gently fold the rice into the beef and pepper mixture, ensuring even distribution with steady, sweeping motions of your wooden spoon.
Pour the marinara sauce over the skillet, creating a rich, vibrant layer that will bind your ingredients. Stir carefully to coat every morsel, watching the sauce integrate with the ground beef and peppers.
The mixture should look glossy and well-combined, with a consistent color and texture that promises delicious flavor in every bite.
Step 4. Transfer to Baking Dish
Once your marinara-coated mixture gleams with promise, grab a 9×13 inch baking dish and give it a light coating of cooking spray or butter.
Spread the ground beef, pepper, rice, and sauce mixture evenly across the bottom of the dish, ensuring a uniform layer that'll bake consistently.
Press down gently with a spatula to create a compact base, which helps the casserole hold together when serving.
Important details matter here: aim for an even distribution that'll guarantee every serving gets a perfect blend of ingredients.
The goal is a smooth, level surface that'll support your generous cheese topping.
Take your time spreading the mixture, allowing each ingredient to settle naturally into its delicious resting place before the final cheesy transformation begins.
Step 5. Top With Cheese
The two-cup mountain of shredded cheese will transform your stuffed pepper casserole from good to gloriously golden. Distribute the cheese evenly across the entire surface, ensuring complete coverage of the marinara-coated beef and rice mixture. Use a combination of cheeses like cheddar and mozzarella for enhanced flavor complexity and optimal meltability.
Tips for perfect cheese topping:
- Grate cheese fresh for maximum melting potential
- Sprinkle cheese in a uniform layer
- Use room-temperature cheese for smoother melting
- Cover entire casserole surface
Press cheese gently into the casserole's surface, allowing it to sink slightly between the ingredients. The heat will help the cheese create a beautiful, bronzed crust that'll crisp at the edges while remaining gooey in the center. Your casserole's final layer promises a rich, indulgent finish that elevates the entire dish.
Final Thoughts
Because stuffed pepper casserole embodies comfort food at its finest, you'll find this recipe becomes a reliable go-to meal in your culinary repertoire.
With minimal prep and maximum flavor, you'll appreciate how quickly this dish comes together, transforming standard ingredients into a satisfying family meal. The recipe's flexibility allows you to customize based on dietary preferences, swapping ground beef for turkey or using different cheese varieties.
Experiment with additional seasonings like garlic powder, paprika, or red pepper flakes to elevate the flavor profile. Remember that meal preparation is about creating delicious experiences, not achieving perfection.
Whether you're cooking for a weeknight dinner or preparing a make-ahead casserole, this recipe offers simplicity and comfort in every bite. Your family will thank you for this hearty, crowd-pleasing dish.
