Cozy Stuffed Pepper Skillet Recipe: Family Favorite Magic

Sizzling skillets bring magic to weeknight dinners, and this hearty stuffed pepper skillet combines bold flavors in one pan.

Ground beef dances with vibrant bell peppers, creating a meal that’s both comforting and exciting.

Tender rice and melted cheese meld together, promising a dish that satisfies deep hunger.

Weeknight cooking doesn’t get easier than this one-pan wonder packed with protein and zesty seasonings.

Each bite delivers a perfect balance of savory meat, sweet peppers, and rich tomato sauce.

Colorful ingredients transform a simple skillet into a restaurant-worthy meal that saves time and delights taste buds.

Dive into this delicious recipe that turns ordinary ingredients into an extraordinary dinner.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 50 minutes

Calories: 450 kcal

Servings: 5

Ingredients for Stuffed Pepper Skillet

• Ground Beef: Hearty protein foundation that adds rich, savory depth to the dish.
• Green Peppers: Crisp vegetable that brings fresh crunch and vibrant color.
• Red Peppers: Sweet pepper variety offering gentle sweetness and beautiful color contrast.
• Onion: Aromatic base that builds foundational flavor for the entire skillet.

• Oregano: Classic herb that delivers Mediterranean-inspired herbal notes.
• Salt: Essential seasoning that elevates and balances overall taste profile.
• Black Pepper: Warm spice that adds subtle heat and complexity.
• Garlic: Pungent ingredient that provides intense, aromatic flavor boost.
• Balsamic Vinegar: Tangy liquid that introduces sophisticated, slightly sweet undertone.

• Beef Broth: Flavorful liquid that helps cook rice and create silky sauce.
• Diced Tomatoes: Juicy ingredient that adds moisture and bright acidic touch.
• Tomato Sauce: Smooth base that enriches overall sauce consistency.
• Rice: Hearty grain that absorbs flavors and creates satisfying texture.
• Cheese: Creamy topping that melts beautifully and provides rich, comforting finish.

Tools Needed for Stuffed Pepper Skillet

• High-sided skillet: Large, deep pan perfect for one-pot cooking and mixing ingredients.
• Wooden spoon or spatula: Essential for stirring and mixing ingredients evenly while cooking.
• Measuring cups: Helps precisely add broth, rice, and other liquid ingredients.
• Measuring spoons: Accurately measures spices like oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Cutting board: Provides clean surface for chopping green and red peppers, onions, and garlic.
• Sharp knife: Needed for dicing vegetables and preparing ingredients.
• Cheese grater (optional): Useful if using block cheese instead of pre-shredded cheese.

How to Make Stuffed Pepper Skillet

Hearty Pepper Beef Medley

• Meat and Vegetable Fusion

Brown ground beef with colorful peppers and onions in a spacious skillet. Sizzle the ingredients together, creating a rich, savory base that releases mouthwatering aromas throughout the kitchen.

• Garlic Awakening

Sprinkle minced garlic into the skillet, letting its intense fragrance develop and elevate the dish’s flavor profile. Stir gently to prevent burning and ensure even distribution.

• Liquid Symphony

Pour in beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Bring the mixture to a rolling boil, then introduce rice. Reduce heat, cover, and let everything simmer until rice becomes tender and absorbs the robust liquid.

• Cheesy Finale

Remove skillet from heat and fold in most of the cheese, creating a creamy, stringy texture. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top, allowing it to melt into a golden, irresistible blanket that crowns this comforting one-pan wonder.

Tips to Enhance Stuffed Pepper Skillet

• Flavor Boosters: Swap ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option that keeps the dish light and nutritious.
• Spice Adventure: Kick up the heat by adding diced jalapeños or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes for those who love a little extra zing in their meal.
• Veggie Power-Up: Experiment with additional vegetables like zucchini, mushrooms, or corn to increase the nutritional value and add more texture to the skillet.
• Cheese Lovers' Twist: Try different cheese varieties like pepper jack for a spicy kick, or a blend of mozzarella and cheddar for a more complex flavor profile that will make taste buds dance.

Serving Stuffed Pepper Skillet at Its Best

• Crowd-Pleasing Party Platter: Serve this skillet directly at the table for a rustic, family-style dining experience that encourages sharing and creates a warm, communal atmosphere.
• Fresh Herb Garnish: Sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro on top to add a bright, fresh flavor and vibrant green color that complements the cheesy, hearty base.
• Zesty Side Companions: Pair with a crisp green salad or tangy coleslaw to balance the rich, cheesy skillet and provide a refreshing contrast to the warm, comforting meal.
• Bread Basket Bonus: Offer crusty garlic bread or warm dinner rolls on the side to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and provide an extra layer of satisfying texture.

How to Store Stuffed Pepper Skillet

• Prep-Ahead Strategy: Chop vegetables and brown ground beef in advance, storing separately in airtight containers. Refrigerate components up to 3 days before final cooking to save precious weeknight cooking time.
• Freezer-Friendly Batch: Prepare entire skillet meal, cool completely, then transfer to freezer-safe containers. Seal tightly and freeze for up to 3 months, providing quick future meal options for busy families.
• Refrigerator Storage Tricks: Keep leftovers in sealed containers, consuming within 3-4 days. Reheat gently in microwave or stovetop, adding small splash of broth to restore moisture and prevent drying out.
• Smart Portion Control: Divide skillet into individual servings before storing. This approach allows easy grab-and-go lunches and prevents unnecessary reheating of entire dish, maintaining optimal flavor and texture quality.

Hearty Stuffed Pepper Skillet Recipe

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4.9 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 5 1x

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Description

Hearty stuffed pepper skillet delight recipe combines classic Mexican flavors with one-pan convenience. Pepper, ground beef, and rice mingle in a zesty tomato sauce, promising a satisfying meal you’ll crave again.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 1 lb (454 g) ground beef
• 1 green pepper, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup (240 ml) long grain white rice
• 2 cups (480 ml) beef broth
• 1 15 oz (425 g) can diced tomatoes
• 1 8 oz (227 g) can tomato sauce
• 1–2 cups Colby Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste

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Instructions

1. Sauté Protein and Aromatics: Ignite a large skillet over medium heat, browning ground beef while simultaneously integrating diced green and red peppers, onion, oregano, salt, and pepper. Transform meat from raw to caramelized and vegetables into tender morsels.
2. Infuse Aromatic Layers: Introduce minced garlic into the sizzling ensemble, stirring vigorously to unlock its intense flavor profile without scorching, allowing the fragrant essence to permeate every ingredient.
3. Liquid Foundation and Grain Integration: Pour beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and balsamic vinegar into the skillet. Escalate heat to generate a robust boil, then gently incorporate rice, allowing it to harmonize with the liquid landscape.
4. Simmer and Absorb: Reduce heat to a gentle whisper, cover the skillet, and let rice luxuriate in the savory liquid. Allow approximately 20-25 minutes for grains to soften and liquid to be almost completely absorbed, creating a rich, cohesive texture.
5. Cheese Finale: Remove skillet from heat, fold in one portion of cheese until thoroughly integrated. Generously crown the surface with remaining cheese, then replace lid to encourage a luxurious, uniform melt.

Notes

• Meat Preparation Tip: Break ground beef into small, uniform crumbles for even cooking and better texture distribution throughout the dish.
• Garlic Timing Strategy: Add minced garlic late in the cooking process to prevent burning and preserve its intense, aromatic flavor profile.
• Liquid Absorption Technique: Watch rice carefully during simmering to ensure it absorbs liquid perfectly without becoming mushy or dry.
• Cheese Melting Hack: Cover skillet after adding cheese to create steam, helping cheese melt evenly and create a creamy, cohesive topping.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 40 minutes
• Category: Dinner, Lunch
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 5
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 9 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg