Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Introduction

Deconstructed stuffed peppers bring all the comforting flavors of the classic dish into one skillet. This easy recipe layers ground beef, tender bell peppers, and rice in a savory tomato sauce, topped with melted mozzarella for a hearty meal.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups diced red bell pepper (orange or yellow work too!)
• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 15 oz can tomato sauce
• 1 cup dry white rice
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

1. Step 1: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.
2. Step 2: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks.
3. Step 3: Once the beef is browned and cooked through, add the onions and garlic to the pan. Sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Step 4: Stir in the diced bell peppers, beef broth, tomato sauce, white rice, basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Mix well, cover the pan, and bring to a boil—this should take about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Reduce the heat to medium, keep the pan covered, and cook for 20-25 minutes. Stir every few minutes until the rice is fully cooked and the liquid has mostly absorbed.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the mozzarella cheese on top, cover the pan again, and cook over low heat until the cheese melts, about 3-5 minutes.

Tips & Variations

• For extra flavor, try adding a splash of Worcestershire sauce or a pinch of red pepper flakes to the beef mixture.
• Swap ground beef for ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• Use brown rice instead of white, but increase cooking time and broth accordingly.
• Top with fresh basil or parsley before serving for a bright finish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave until warmed through, adding a splash of broth if needed to keep the rice moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, substitute the ground beef with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground meat alternative and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.

Is it necessary to cover the pan while cooking?

Covering the pan helps the rice cook evenly by trapping steam, so it’s important to cover it during simmering and melting the cheese for the best results.

Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 56 reviews

• Author: lina
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x

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Description

A hearty and flavorful Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers recipe that combines ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and aromatic herbs in a single pan. This comforting stovetop dish delivers all the classic flavors of stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing each pepper individually. Topped with melted mozzarella cheese, it’s perfect for a satisfying weeknight dinner.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Meat and Vegetables

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 lb ground beef
• ½ cup diced onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 3 cups diced red bell pepper (can substitute orange or yellow bell peppers)

Liquids and Sauces

• 2 cups low sodium beef broth
• 15 oz can tomato sauce

Grains and Spices

• 1 cup dry white rice
• ½ teaspoon dried basil
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
• ½ teaspoon dried parsley
• ¼ teaspoon black pepper

Finishing

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

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Instructions

1. Heat the Oil: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering to prepare for browning the beef.
2. Cook the Ground Beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for about 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula until browned and fully cooked through.
3. Sauté Aromatics: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the browned beef and sauté together for 3 minutes until the onions soften and become translucent.
4. Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in diced bell peppers, beef broth, tomato sauce, dry white rice, dried basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Mix well to combine all ingredients.
5. Bring to Boil: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; this usually takes about 5 minutes.
6. Simmer: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium, keep the pan covered, and cook for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
7. Add Cheese and Melt: Top the cooked mixture with shredded mozzarella cheese, cover again, and cook over low heat just until the cheese melts, creating a creamy finish.

Notes

• Use low sodium beef broth to help control the salt content.
• Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
• For a vegetarian variation, omit the ground beef and use vegetable broth instead.
• Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent the rice from sticking to the pan bottom.
• Use precooked rice to reduce overall cooking time by adjusting liquid amounts accordingly.
• This dish reheats well and can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Main Dish
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: deconstructed stuffed peppers, stuffed peppers recipe, ground beef peppers, easy stuffed peppers, one pan stuffed peppers, stovetop stuffed peppers