A warm, hearty casserole that tastes like classic stuffed peppers without the fuss—this Stuffed Pepper Casserole brings all the beloved flavors together in one cozy baking dish. Tender rice, seasoned ground beef, sweet peppers, and a rich tomato sauce melt into a comforting weeknight dinner everyone can get behind.
It’s the kind of meal that feels nostalgic yet simple enough for busy evenings. Plus, it’s endlessly customizable and reheats beautifully, making it a staple you’ll want to keep on repeat.
What Kind of Peppers Work Best in Stuffed Pepper Casserole?
Colorful bell peppers—red, yellow, and orange—bring sweetness and vibrant flavor, while green bell peppers add a slightly sharper taste. Mixing them creates great balance, but use whatever you prefer or have on hand.
Ingredients for the Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked long‑grain white rice
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers, diced (any colors)
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
- 2 cups beef broth
- 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella
- 1/2 cup shredded cheddar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
How To Make the Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Step 1: Sauté the Aromatics
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add diced onion and garlic, cooking until fragrant and soft.
Step 2: Brown the Beef
Add the ground beef and cook until no longer pink. Drain excess fat.
Step 3: Add Peppers and Seasonings
Stir in the diced bell peppers, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Let the peppers soften slightly.
Step 4: Combine the Base Ingredients
Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, rice, and beef broth. Mix well to ensure the rice is submerged.
Step 5: Simmer and Transfer
Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer for a few minutes, then transfer everything to a casserole dish.
Step 6: Bake
Cover with foil and bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes, or until the rice is tender.
Step 7: Add the Cheese
Remove the foil, sprinkle mozzarella and cheddar on top, and bake for an additional 10 minutes until bubbly and melted.
How to Serve and Store Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Serve warm with a sprinkle of fresh parsley or a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess. A crisp green salad or garlic bread pairs beautifully with the cozy flavors.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. It reheats well in the microwave or oven. For freezing, portion the cooled casserole into freezer-safe containers and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight before reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use brown rice instead of white?
Yes, but you’ll need to increase the liquid slightly and extend the baking time since brown rice cooks longer.
Can this be made ahead of time?
Absolutely. Assemble the casserole up to the baking step, cover, refrigerate, and bake when ready.
Can I make it vegetarian?
Swap the ground beef for lentils, plant‑based crumbles, or sautéed mushrooms.
What cheese works best?
Mozzarella melts beautifully, while cheddar adds richness. Monterey Jack or provolone also work well.
Can I add extra veggies?
Yes—zucchini, spinach, or diced tomatoes are great additions.
Want More Dinner Ideas?
If comforting casseroles and hearty meals are your thing, try exploring these other popular dishes from the site:
• Marry Me Chicken Pasta for creamy, romantic flavor.
• Nutella French Toast Casserole when you’re craving a sweet brunch bake.
• Chicken Cordon Bleu Casserole for a cheesy, savory twist.
• Cheesy Mexican Rice Casserole if you love bold, easy one‑pan meals.
• The Ultimate Taco Casserole for a crowd‑pleasing fiesta night.
For even more inspiration, browse my daily recipe posts on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ninadishes/
Save This Pin + Share Your Results
📌 Pin this Stuffed Pepper Casserole to your dinner board so you can revisit it whenever you need a cozy, reliable meal.
Tell me how it turned out for you! Did you mix pepper colors? Add heat? Try a different cheese blend? I always love hearing how readers customize their dishes. Questions are always welcome—let’s keep cooking smarter together.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Stuffed Pepper Casserole delivers all the classic flavors of traditional stuffed peppers in an easy, oven-baked format. Juicy ground beef, tender rice, sweet bell peppers, and savory tomato sauce come together under a blanket of melted cheese for a comforting dinner.
Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
1 medium onion diced
3 bell peppers diced
3 cloves garlic minced
15 ounces tomato sauce
14.5 ounces diced tomatoes
2 cups beef broth
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon salt
0.5 teaspoon black pepper
1.5 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
0.5 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 tablespoon olive oil
Instructions
1. Heat olive oil in a skillet and cook onion until softened. Add garlic.
2. Brown ground beef and drain excess fat.
3. Add bell peppers and seasonings and cook briefly.
4. Stir in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, rice, and broth and simmer.
5. Transfer mixture to a casserole dish and cover with foil.
6. Bake at 375°F for 35–40 minutes until rice is tender.
7. Top with cheese and bake uncovered until melted.
Notes
Use sweet bell peppers for best flavor.
Brown rice requires extra liquid and time.
Let casserole rest before serving for best texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 820mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 32g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 29g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, beef casserole, rice casserole
