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Stuffed Pepper Casserole is the ultimate comfort food that cooks on the stovetop in one pan! It captures all the flavor of classic stuffed peppers without the hassle.
Why You’ll Love Stuffed Pepper Casserole!
Stuffed Pepper Casserole is one of those recipes that feels like a warm hug on a busy night. It combines everything I love about classic stuffed peppers—the tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and savory tomato sauce—but without all the extra steps.
Everything cooks in one pan and dinner is done! It’s cozy, comforting, and always a hit at the table. This dish is hearty, filling and taste amazing. You can even make this ahead of time and leftovers freeze great.
If you have made our Stuffed Pepper Soup, Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Soup Recipe, or Stuffed Peppers then you are going to love this stove top stuffed pepper casserole.
Ingredients
- Olive Oil – Feel free to use other types of oil
- Ground Beef – Use lean ground beef. Feel free to substitute with ground turkey
- Yellow Onion – Chop and freeze onion to save time
- Green Bell Peppers and Red Bell Pepper – You can use any color of bell peppers that you prefer for this recipe but I love the flavor that the red bell pepper adds.
- Minced Garlic – Learn How to Mince Garlic Cloves
- Italian Seasoning – If you are out, see The Best Italian Seasoning Substitute
- Diced Tomatoes – Adds savory flavor
- Worcestershire sauce – If you are out, see The Best Worcestershire Sauce Substitutes
- Long Grain Rice – No need to cook the rice beforehand
- Beef Broth – Substitute with water
- Mozzarella Cheese – Use freshly shredded cheese
- Fresh Parsley – For serving
Scroll to the recipe card for the full recipe details.
How to Make Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Step 1 – In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add in ground beef and the diced onion. Sauté the onion while breaking apart the ground beef. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink.
Step 2 – Drain off any excess fat. Add in the bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning.
Step 3 – Stir in the Worcerstireshire sauce, canned tomatoes, rice and beef broth. Stir the mixture together and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
Step 4 – Once the rice is tender, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the cheese on top and cover and let it sit until the cheese is melted. Top with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy!
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 ½ pounds ground beef lean
- ½ yellow onion (diced)
- 1 green bell pepper (diced)
- 1 red bell pepper (diced)
- 2 cloves garlic minced (or 2 teaspoon minced garlic)
- 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon pepper
- 14 oz diced tomatoes
- 1 Tablespoon Worcerstershire sauce
- 1 cup long grain rice
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese shredded (optional)
- fresh parsley for serving
Instructions
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium high heat. Add in ground beef and the diced onion.
- Sauté the onion while breaking apart the ground beef. Cook until the ground beef is no longer pink.
- Drain off any excess fat. Add in the bell peppers and cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and Italian Seasoning.
- Stir in the Worcerstireshire sauce, canned tomatoes, rice and beef broth.
- Stir together and bring to a boil.
- Cover with a lid, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 20-25 minutes until the rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.
- Once the rice is tender, turn off the heat. Sprinkle the cheese on top and cover and let it sit until the cheese is melted.
- Top with fresh parsley and serve. Enjoy!
Recipe Video
Recipe Notes
- Skillet – We used a regular skillet to make this. If you prefer to put the casserole in the oven, make it in a cast iron skillet so you can easily place it in the oven.
- Cooking Time – This casserole cooks in about 30 minutes. It may take a little longer depending on how long it takes for the rice to get tender.
- Make Ahead – Feel free to prepare the casserole ahead of time and then store it in the fridge until ready to finish cooking.
- Tex-Mex Flavor – Add taco seasoning, corn, and black beans for a delicious variation.
- Low-carb – Swap rice for cauliflower rice if you are looking for a low carb variation.
- Vegetarian – Use lentils or quinoa instead of meat. You can even add in beans.
- Spicy – Stir in diced jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce if you prefer a kick to the flavor.
Nutrition Facts
Serving Recommendations
This stuffed pepper casserole is hearty and filling and can be served as a complete meal.
But we like to add light side dishes as an little extra to the meal. Try adding a Green salad, Easy Caesar Salad Recipe or Roasted Zucchini. Other ideas is Garlic Bread Cheese Sticks or 30 Minute Dinner Rolls.
Frequently Asked Questions
We used uncooked long grain white rice in this recipe. But you can also use cooked rice but you will need to reduce the broth by 1 cup. If you use brown rice, it usually takes longer to cook.
Store any leftovers in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the refrigerator. Reheat the leftovers in the microwave or place in a casserole dish to reheat in the oven.
Absolutely! Cool completely, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 3 months in a freezer safe container. Thaw in the fridge when ready to reheat.
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We love hearing from you! If you make this Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe, please leave us a comment or a star review.
This recipe is delicious and perfect for a working mother who wants to serve a nutritious meal for her family; but, also wants to avoid the hassle of stuffing peppers and making more than 1 pot to clean.
Cindy – I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe. Thank you for sharing and for the positive review!
I made this last night; October 20, 2025 and it was delicious. The family loved it and it will be a meal on rotation. Paired it with Pinot Noir.
Lisa – Wahoo! That’s great!
Lisa – Thank you so much for sharing and for the positive review! I love hearing that you and your family enjoyed this recipe!
If using ground turkey instead of ground beef should you use chicken broth instead of beef broth?
I have made this and just want to let you know, if you live at high altitude, I recommend cooking the rice before adding it to the ground beef mixture. If you don’t the rice will take a very long time to become completely cooked. Also, I have used grated cheddar cheese on top which is very tasty.
Hey Joanne! Thank you for the tip and feedback for high altitude. So glad you tried it!
I use beef Rice-A-Roni when I make this and it comes out delicious
Beverli – That sounds yummy. So glad you love it and can make it work for your family.
Oh yum! Thanks for sharing Beverli! I haven’t tried that yet but it sounds amazing!
Amazing Flavor! Even my kid that is really picky, cleaned his plate!