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Creamy Stuffed Pepper Casserole

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This creamy stuffed pepper casserole is a cozy, crowd-pleasing weeknight meal featuring sautéed bell peppers, savory ground beef, tender rice, and a rich tomato cream sauce, all baked under a golden layer of melted cheese. It’s a comforting, scoopable twist on classic stuffed peppers—easy to prepare and perfect for family gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb lean ground beef
  • 3 medium bell peppers (any color), diced
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cups cooked white rice
  • 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (for sautéing)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Position oven rack in the center.
  2. In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Sauté diced onion and bell peppers for 5-6 minutes until softened and translucent.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
  4. Push veggies to the side, add ground beef, and break up with a spoon. Brown for 5-7 minutes, mixing with veggies. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in drained diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer for 3-4 minutes.
  6. Remove from heat. Fold in cooked rice and heavy cream until evenly coated and creamy. Add more cream or tomato sauce if mixture looks dry.
  7. Transfer mixture to a greased 9×13-inch casserole dish. Spread evenly.
  8. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top. Cover loosely with foil.
  9. Bake covered for 20 minutes. Remove foil and bake another 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
  10. Let casserole cool for 5 minutes. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Notes

For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with lentils, beans, or plant-based crumbles. Use cauliflower rice for low-carb or keto adaptation. Dairy-free cheese and coconut cream work for lactose-free diets. Sauté veggies separately for best texture. Let casserole rest 5-10 minutes before serving for easier slicing. Check Worcestershire sauce and tomato products for gluten if needed.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, creamy casserole, weeknight dinner, comfort food, ground beef, bell peppers, easy casserole, family meal, gluten-free option

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/creamy-stuffed-pepper-casserole-recipe-easy-cozy-weeknight-meal/