If you love the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers but crave a simpler, hands-off approach, this Meaty Stuffed Pepper Casserole is your new go-to dinner. Imagine all the savory goodness of ground beef, tender bell peppers, and a cheesy, tomato-rich sauce layered perfectly in one hearty casserole.
It’s the ultimate weeknight meal that satisfies everyone at the table—meat lovers and veggie enthusiasts alike. Don’t forget to save this pin for the recipe—your future self will thank you when dinner is effortless, delicious, and fully crowd-pleasing!
This casserole takes all the fuss of hollowing out peppers and turns it into a streamlined, oven-baked masterpiece. Ground beef is perfectly seasoned with onions, garlic, and Italian spices, then mixed with rice or breadcrumbs for that classic stuffed pepper texture. Topped with melty cheese that browns beautifully in the oven, every bite is a warm, flavorful hug.
Perfect for meal prep, family dinners, or even holiday gatherings, this dish not only tastes amazing but also fills your kitchen with a mouthwatering aroma that announces dinner is ready. Pair it with a fresh salad or garlic bread, and you have a complete meal that’s as satisfying to serve as it is to eat.
This Meaty Stuffed Pepper Casserole takes all the satisfying flavors of traditional stuffed bell peppers and reimagines them as a simple, comforting layered bake. It transforms the classic, time-consuming effort into an easy weeknight meal, ideal for busy cooks who crave a wholesome dish without the fuss of individual stuffing and coring.
The casserole features a robust base of perfectly seasoned ground beef combined with rice, aromatic onions, and a rich tomato sauce, replicating the core filling of the classic version. Instead of whole peppers, sliced or diced sweet bell peppers are interspersed throughout the mixture, ensuring a burst of color and fresh flavor in every forkful. The entire creation is topped with a layer of melted cheese and baked until bubbly, marrying the savory beef, tender peppers, and tangy tomato notes into a single, cohesive, and deeply satisfying meal that’s perfect for the whole family.
Place a substantial skillet over a medium-high flame. After the ground meat has fully browned, siphon off any accumulated rendered fat. Place the pan back on the burner.
Generously season the meat blend with coarse salt, freshly ground black pepper, and 2 teaspoons of dry Italian herbs.
Next, empty one 15-ounce tin of crushed tomato sauce and one 14.5-ounce tin of chopped tomatoes (with their juices) directly into the seasoned beef. Allow this new sauce mixture to reach a soft bubbling point, maintaining the heat for five minutes.
Gently lift the casserole from the oven and remove the foil covering. Place the uncovered dish back into the oven and let it bake for an additional 8 to 10 minutes. Servings 6
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
This casserole transforms the classic stuffed pepper dish into an easy-to-make, layered bake that delivers all the hearty flavors with none of the fiddly stuffing. Below are the steps, tips, serving suggestions, storage advice, and variations to make this recipe truly your own.
Achieving a superior stuffed pepper casserole requires attention to a few key techniques, primarily centered on flavor development and moisture control.
Unlike some recipes that call for uncooked rice, we recommend partially cooking your rice (e.g., to about half or two-thirds done) before adding it to the casserole mixture. This simple step ensures the rice finishes cooking evenly within the sauce, preventing any hard, undercooked grains, and it also absorbs excess liquid from the tomatoes and beef, leading to a perfectly set, not watery, casserole.
When browning your ground meat (a combination of ground beef and Italian sausage works best for depth of flavor), drain the excess fat after cooking. Before adding the liquid ingredients (like tomato sauce or broth), stir in your spices (smoked paprika, oregano, and garlic powder) for about one minute over the heat. This process, known as blooming, toasts the spices in the residual heat, maximizing their aromatic potency and ensuring a more profound, well-rounded flavor profile throughout the entire dish.
To mimic the look of traditional stuffed peppers, focus on how you arrange your ingredients. The mixture of seasoned meat and rice goes into the middle. The chopped bell peppers should be layered mostly on top of the filling, allowing them to soften slightly but retain a satisfying crispness. A final layer of cheese should cover the peppers entirely, creating a crust that locks in moisture and provides a beautiful finish.
While the casserole is a complete meal on its own, a few simple additions can elevate the presentation and overall dining experience.
Always finish the baked casserole with a generous sprinkle of freshly chopped parsley or basil just before serving. The bright, fresh herbs cut through the richness of the meat and cheese. For a final flourish, serve with a small bowl of plain Greek yogurt or sour cream mixed with a dash of hot sauce or lemon zest. The tangy acid provides a fantastic contrast to the sweet peppers and savory filling.
Choose side dishes that complement the rich, tomato-based main course without overwhelming it.
This casserole is an excellent candidate for both make-ahead meals and freezing, as the flavors often deepen overnight.
The casserole is best consumed within 3 to 4 days. For individual servings, portion the leftovers into microwave-safe containers before chilling.
To freeze the casserole, you have two options:
The beauty of a casserole lies in its flexibility, allowing you to easily adjust ingredients to suit dietary needs or flavor preferences.
If you prefer a different texture than rice, consider these swaps:
The Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a culinary chameleon—it embraces the nostalgic taste of comfort food while being simple enough for any weeknight. By focusing on smart flavor steps like rice pre-cooking and spice blooming, and experimenting with diverse substitutions, you can consistently produce a robust, well-textured, and completely original meal that satisfies all the heartiest appetites at your table.
