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Dump-and-bake stuffed pepper casserole with visible peppers, ground beef, and rice.

Classic Dump-and-Bake Stuffed Pepper Casserole — Peppers, Beef/Turkey, Rice

This easy dump-and-bake casserole features ground meat, rice, bell peppers, and a savory tomato sauce, topped with melted cheddar cheese. It's a hearty and satisfying meal that's perfect for a weeknight dinner.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • 9x13 inch baking dish
  • large skillet
  • aluminum foil

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef or ground turkey 80/20 or 90/10
  • 1 medium medium onion chopped
  • 2-3 cloves garlic minced
  • 2-3 medium bell peppers any color, diced
  • 1 can diced tomatoes 14.5 oz, undrained
  • 1 can tomato sauce 15 oz
  • 1.5 cups beef or chicken broth
  • 1 cup uncooked white rice long-grain or medium-grain
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese for topping
  • fresh parsley optional, for garnish

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
  • In a large skillet, brown the ground meat and chopped onion over medium-high heat until the meat is no longer pink and the onion is soft. Drain any excess fat, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for one minute until fragrant.

Assembly and Baking

  • Transfer the cooked meat mixture to the prepared baking dish.
  • Add the diced bell peppers, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, broth, uncooked rice, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper to the baking dish.
  • Stir all ingredients thoroughly until combined and the rice is evenly distributed.
  • Cover the baking dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for 45 minutes.
  • Remove the foil, gently stir the casserole, and sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
  • Return the dish to the oven, uncovered, and bake for another 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the rice is tender.

Rest and Serve

  • Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. Garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Notes

For a spicier casserole, add a pinch of red pepper flakes with the Italian seasoning. You can also experiment with different cheese blends for topping.