Description
Unstuffed Peppers Skillet is a simple, one-pan dish that brings all the delicious flavors of stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing. It’s a hearty, comforting meal that combines tender bell peppers, seasoned ground beef, rice, and a melty layer of cheese—all cooked together in a skillet for an easy and satisfying dinner.
Ingredients
1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey/chicken for a leaner option)
1 medium onion, diced
3 bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup cooked rice (white or brown)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or a blend)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet, and sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
- Stir in the garlic, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper, and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the cooked rice and diced tomatoes to the skillet, stirring well to combine. Let it cook for an additional 3-4 minutes to warm through.
- Sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the mixture. Cover the skillet with a lid and let the cheese melt for 2-3 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve hot.
Notes
For a leaner option, swap the ground beef for ground turkey or chicken.
Try using quinoa, cauliflower rice, or couscous for a different texture or lower-carb version.
If you prefer a spicy version, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño.
For a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add more beans like black beans or kidney beans.
This dish can be made ahead by prepping up to the point of adding cheese. Add the cheese when ready to serve and reheat as needed.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Skillet
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg