Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)

Classic stuffed pepper flavors deconstructed into a quick one-pan meal with beef, peppers, rice, and cheese.

# What You Need:

→ Meats

01 - 1 pound lean ground beef (or ground turkey or chicken)

→ Vegetables

02 - 2 large bell peppers, any color, diced
03 - 1 medium onion, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 14 ounces canned diced tomatoes with juices

→ Grains

06 - 2/3 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Liquids

07 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

→ Seasonings

08 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
09 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
11 - 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
12 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional

→ Cheese and Garnish

13 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, optional
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 3 to 4 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes with juices, broth, oregano, paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if using. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
04 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 15 to 18 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
05 - Remove from heat. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, cover, and let stand for 2 to 3 minutes until melted. Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve hot.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The flavors meld together better than traditional stuffed peppers since everything simmers in the same juices
  • Ready in under 30 minutes making it perfect for those exhausting weeknights when cooking feels like a chore
02 -
  • The rice continues absorbing liquid even after you remove it from heat so do not worry if there seems to be a little extra liquid in the pan
  • Cheese is optional but it really does tie all the flavors together into something cohesive and comforting
  • If you prefer brown rice you will need to add about half a cup more liquid and extend the cooking time by at least 10 minutes
03 -
  • Letting the skillet rest covered after removing from heat allows the residual heat to finish cooking the rice evenly
  • Dicing the peppers and onions to roughly the same size ensures they cook at the same rate for consistent texture

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