We love stuffed peppers as much as the next person, but the preparation can often use more time and effort than we can spare on an average weekday evening. Sometimes it's worth biting the bullet and sacrificing precious time for the benefit of enjoying the sumptuous combination of sweet bell peppers, flavorful rice, sharp cheese and ground beef. With this outstanding casserole, you can now enjoy everything that you love about stuffed peppers without sacrificing time with your family!
This recipe simply calls for ground beef, peppers, onions, cheese, rice and simple pantry spices. The rice is cooked in the casserole itself, taking away one of the most time-consuming cooking steps that you would find in a traditional stuffed pepper recipe. This is an Italian-spiced recipe, using thyme, parsley and fennel seed to flavor the dish. You can also opt for a Mexican-themed version by replacing these spices with one tablespoon of taco seasoning. With a recipe this easy and delicious, the possibilities truly are endless!
Cheesy Stuffed Pepper CasseroleIngredients3 bell peppers, cut into 2-inch pieces
1 cup uncooked basmati rice
1 pound ground beef
2 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
2 chicken or beef broth
1 1/2 of your favorite tomato sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon fennel seed
1 teaspoon parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
8 ounces grated cheddar cheese
Instructions:1. Preheat the oven to 350 F. Place the diced bell peppers into the bottom of a well-greased casserole dish.
2. Pour the rice over the top of the peppers, distributing as evenly as possible.
3. Quickly brown the beef with the onion and garlic and then place on top of the rice.
4. In a large bowl, mix the broth in with the tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce and spices before pouring the liquid into the casserole dish.
5. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole and place into the preheated oven for 45 minutes.
TIP: If you have any leftover sausage or bacon, add this in when browning the beef for an added layer of flavor!
