Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)
All the flavors of stuffed peppers in an easy one-pan skillet with ground beef, vegetables, and rice.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 1 lb lean ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large onion, diced
03 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), 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
# How To Make It:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and cook, breaking up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
02 - Add diced onion, bell peppers, and garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 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 cheese evenly over the top. Cover again and cook for 2–3 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
06 - Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Pairs well with crusty bread or a crisp side salad.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- Everything you adore about stuffed peppers arrives in half the time with one dish to wash
- The rice absorbs all those sweet pepper and savory beef flavors while it simmers
02 -
- Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice simmers or you will lose the steam that cooks it properly
- The skillet continues cooking the rice even after you turn off the heat, so do not worry if it seems slightly liquid when you first uncover it
03 -
- Dice your peppers roughly the same size as the rice so every spoonful has all the components
- Taste the rice at the end of cooking time before declaring it done, especially if you are using brown