Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Introduction

Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers offer all the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing each pepper. This one-pan dish combines savory ground beef, tender rice, and sweet bell peppers topped with melted mozzarella for a hearty, satisfying 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 until browned and cooked through.
3. Step 3: Stir in the diced onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Step 4: Add the diced bell peppers, beef broth, tomato sauce, white rice, dried basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Stir well to combine. Cover the pan and bring to a boil, about 5 minutes.
5. Step 5: Once boiling, reduce heat to medium and cook covered for 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella over the top, cover the pan, and cook on low heat until the cheese melts and is gooey.

Tips & Variations

• Use bell peppers of any color you prefer for a vibrant dish with different sweet notes.
• Substitute ground turkey or chicken to lighten the dish.
• For extra flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or smoked paprika.
• Swap mozzarella for a blend of cheddar and Monterey Jack for a sharper cheese taste.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in a microwave or on the stovetop over low heat, adding a splash of broth or water if needed to keep it moist.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Yes, but brown rice takes longer to cook. You will need to increase the cooking time and may need to add more broth to ensure it cooks through.

Is it possible to make this recipe vegetarian?

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

Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 61 reviews

Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers is a hearty and flavorful one-pan meal that captures the essence of classic stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing. Ground beef, tender bell peppers, aromatic herbs, and rice are cooked together in a savory tomato and beef broth sauce, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese for a comforting, cheesy finish.

• Author: Windy
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 4 servings 1x
• Category: Main Course
• Method: Stovetop
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main 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. Heat olive oil: In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat to prepare for cooking the ground beef and vegetables.
2. Cook ground beef: Add the ground beef to the pan and cook for 10 minutes, breaking it apart with a spatula as it cooks until browned and fully cooked through.
3. Sauté onions and garlic: Add diced onions and minced garlic to the cooked beef and sauté for 3 minutes until fragrant and softened.
4. Add remaining ingredients and combine: Stir in diced bell peppers, beef broth, tomato sauce, dry white rice, dried basil, oregano, parsley, and black pepper. Mix everything well to combine thoroughly.
5. Simmer covered: Cover the pan and bring to a boil, which takes about 5 minutes, then reduce heat to medium and continue cooking covered for 20-25 minutes. Stir every few minutes until almost all the liquid is absorbed and rice is thoroughly cooked.
6. Top with cheese and melt: Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly on top. Cover the pan again and cook over low heat until the cheese is melted and gooey.

Notes

• Feel free to use orange or yellow bell peppers instead of red for a colorful dish.
• Use low sodium beef broth to control salt content.
• Stir occasionally during simmering to prevent rice from sticking to the pan.
• For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based protein and use vegetable broth.
• This recipe is perfect for a quick weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Keywords: deconstructed stuffed peppers, ground beef recipe, one-pan meal, stuffed pepper skillet, easy dinner recipe