Description
A hearty and flavorful Deconstructed Stuffed Pepper Casserole combining ground pork, ground beef, rice, and classic stuffed pepper seasonings, all cooked together in a skillet for a comforting one-pan meal topped with melted cheddar cheese and fresh parsley.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat Mixture
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound ground pork
- 1 pound ground beef
Vegetables and Seasonings
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 large green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon dried dill
- ½ teaspoon salt, or to taste
- ¼ teaspoon pepper, or to taste
Other Ingredients
- ½ cup uncooked rice
- 1 cup low sodium chicken broth
- 14 ounces diced tomatoes, with juice (1 can)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- Sour cream for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Meats: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground pork and ground beef, breaking them up with a spoon as they cook. Sauté for about 5 minutes until the meat is no longer pink and evenly browned.
- Sauté Vegetables and Season: Add chopped onion and green bell pepper to the skillet with the meat. Stir in smoked paprika, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, dried dill, salt, and pepper. Continue cooking for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften and spices become fragrant.
- Add Rice and Liquids: Stir in the uncooked rice, then pour in the low sodium chicken broth and diced tomatoes including their juice. Reduce heat to medium and let the mixture cook uncovered for 10 to 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is fully cooked and most liquid is absorbed.
- Top with Cheese and Parsley: Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Allow it to melt for 2 to 3 minutes with heat still on. Garnish the casserole with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
- Serve: Spoon the casserole onto plates and serve immediately. Optionally, add a dollop of sour cream for extra creaminess.
Notes
- Substitute ground beef or ground pork with ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Increase red pepper flakes if you prefer a spicier casserole.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice, but increase cooking time and liquid slightly to ensure it cooks through.
- Leftovers keep well in the fridge for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.
- To make this dish vegetarian, omit the meat and use vegetable broth instead of chicken broth.
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, ground pork recipe, ground beef casserole, one pan dinner, easy casserole, comfort food, cheesy casserole