Description
Hearty Mexican stuffed pepper skillet bake melds spicy ground beef, rice, and melted cheese in one incredible pan. Rich layers of flavor combine with zesty seasonings for a quick weeknight dinner solution you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs (680 g) lean ground beef
- 1 cup (236 ml) shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a mix)
- 1 cup long grain white rice
- 14 oz (397 g) canned diced tomatoes
- 1.5 cups (355 ml) beef broth
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) olive oil
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, diced
- 1 medium green bell pepper, diced
- 3 small cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp Italian or Cajun seasoning
- 2 tsps Worcestershire sauce
- 0.5 tsp salt
- 0.25 tsp ground black pepper
- Parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Meat Preparation: Sear ground beef in an oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it down until thoroughly browned and releasing rich, savory flavors.
- Vegetable Integration: Add diced onions and bell peppers to the meat, sautéing until vegetables become translucent and fragrant, melding their essences with the beef.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce minced garlic, Worcestershire sauce, and seasoning blend, stirring vigorously to activate and distribute spices throughout the mixture.
- Liquid Foundation: Pour diced tomatoes into the skillet, creating a robust, harmonious sauce that coats and enriches the existing ingredients.
- Rice Incorporation: Fold white rice and beef broth into the skillet, ensuring even distribution and complete ingredient integration.
- Cooking Process: Cover the skillet with a tight lid or aluminum foil, transfer to a preheated 350°F oven, and bake for 20-25 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and rice to absorb liquid completely.
- Cheese Finale: Sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface, returning to the broiler for 3-5 minutes until the cheese melts into a golden, bubbling crust.
- Garnish and Serve: Scatter freshly chopped parsley over the dish, adding a bright, herbaceous finish that complements the rich, hearty flavors.
Notes
- Meat Browning Tip: Ensure ground beef is crumbled finely and browned completely to develop deep, rich flavors and prevent any raw meat texture.
- Rice Absorption Trick: Use fresh, long-grain white rice for optimal moisture absorption and prevent a mushy or dry final texture.
- Cheese Melting Strategy: Choose a melting cheese like sharp cheddar or monterey jack for maximum golden, stretchy coverage during the final broiling stage.
- One-Pan Convenience: Select an oven-safe skillet to minimize dishwashing and create a seamless cooking transition from stovetop to oven.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 465
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 785 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg