Description
A quick, wholesome, and flavorful one-pan meal that brings the classic stuffed pepper experience into a convenient skillet dish. Perfect for weeknights, this recipe combines vibrant bell peppers, savory ground meat, rice, and melted cheese for a nutritious and satisfying dinner that’s family-friendly and easily customizable.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 3–4 colorful bell peppers, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2–3 garlic cloves, minced
Protein
- 1 pound ground beef or turkey
Grains
- 1 cup cooked rice or quinoa
Other
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or choice)
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies and Aromatics: Wash and dice the bell peppers into bite-sized pieces. Chop onions and mince garlic finely to release their fragrance during cooking.
- Brown the Ground Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground meat, breaking it apart as it cooks. Let it brown thoroughly to develop rich flavor, then drain excess fat if necessary.
- Cook the Aromatics: Add the onions and garlic to the skillet with the meat. Sauté until the onions become translucent and fragrant, which builds depth throughout your dish.
- Add Peppers and Season: Stir in the diced bell peppers, then season with salt, pepper, and paprika. Cook for a few minutes until peppers begin to soften but still retain some crunch.
- Incorporate Rice and Tomato Sauce: Mix in the cooked rice or alternative grain and pour in the tomato sauce. Stir well so all components blend together, simmering gently to heat through.
- Melt the Cheese and Serve: Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the skillet, cover, and let it melt for a few minutes. Once bubbly and gooey, your Stuffed Pepper Skillet is ready to enjoy!
Notes
- Use fresh bell peppers to maintain vibrant color and texture.
- Don’t overcook the peppers to keep a pleasant crunch.
- Brown the meat properly for deep, complex flavors.
- Add cheese at the end to ensure perfect melting without burning.
- Use a medium to large skillet to avoid overcrowding and ensure even cooking.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 65mg