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.
Ingredients
Scale
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
Instructions
- Heat the Oil: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering to prepare for browning the beef.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Bring to Boil: Cover the pan and bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; this usually takes about 5 minutes.
- 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.
- 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
