Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)
A vibrant one-pan meal featuring classic stuffed pepper flavors without the fuss. Ground beef, bell peppers, tomatoes, and rice come together in a savory skillet perfect for busy weeknights.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 3 bell peppers, mixed colors, diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
→ Grains
05 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
→ Liquids
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
07 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
→ Spices & Seasonings
08 - 1 tsp dried oregano
09 - 1 tsp dried basil
10 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
11 - 1/2 tsp salt
12 - 1/4 tsp black pepper
13 - Pinch red pepper flakes
→ Cheese
14 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
# Directions:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add diced onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
03 - Stir in rice, diced tomatoes with juice, broth, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Mix thoroughly to distribute seasonings evenly.
04 - Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until rice is tender and most liquid is absorbed. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
05 - Uncover skillet and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook for 2 to 3 minutes until cheese is fully melted.
06 - Transfer to serving plates and garnish with fresh parsley if desired. Serve immediately while hot.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan so you spend less time cleaning and more time eating
- All the comfort of stuffed peppers without the tedious filling and baking process
02 -
- The rice continues absorbing liquid while resting so don't panic if it looks slightly soupy at first
- If your skillet isn't deep enough the rice might not cook evenly so use your deepest pan or a Dutch oven
03 -
- Dice your vegetables uniformly so everything cooks at the same rate
- Keep the lid on tight during simmering or the rice won't cook through properly