Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)
Hearty skillet with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes—all the stuffed pepper flavors in one easy pan.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Rice & Tomatoes
05 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
07 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp kosher salt
→ Garnish
14 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# How to Cook:
01 - In a large skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through (about 5 minutes). Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute, until fragrant.
04 - Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (with juices), tomato sauce, and broth. Sprinkle in oregano, basil, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18-20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Uncover, sprinkle mozzarella over the top, and let it melt for 2-3 minutes.
07 - Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan which means less cleanup and more time enjoying dinner
- The rice absorbs all those delicious tomato and beef juices as it simmers
- Ready in under an hour but tastes like it simmered all day
02 -
- Do not lift the lid while the rice is simmering or you will lose steam needed for proper cooking
- The rice continues absorbing liquid after you remove it from heat so do not overcook
03 -
- Dice your peppers uniformly so they cook at the same rate
- Taste and adjust salt after the rice finishes cooking since flavors concentrate