This incredibly easy Stuffed Pepper Skillet brings all the beloved flavors of traditional stuffed peppers directly to your dinner table, with minimal effort. Imagine succulent ground beef, tender bell peppers, sweet tomatoes, fluffy rice, and melted cheese, all cooked in a single pot and ready to serve in under 30 minutes! This one-pan wonder is designed for busy weeknights, offering a comforting, hearty, and utterly delicious meal without the fuss.
Effortless Stuffed Pepper Skillet: Your New Favorite One-Pot Meal
It’s no secret that stuffed peppers hold a special place in my heart. My affection for this classic dish runs so deep that I’m always finding creative ways to incorporate its delightful flavors into our family’s meal rotation. Whether it’s classic stuffed bell peppers, a hearty stuffed pepper soup, savory stuffed pepper meatballs, a comforting stuffed pepper casserole, or even a unique stuffed pepper meatloaf, these irresistible flavors always find their way onto our menu. And the best part? My family never tires of them!
They share my passion for stuffed peppers, making it even more enjoyable to experiment with new variations. However, busy days demand quick, effortless meals that still bring everyone together around the table. That’s where this ultimate one-pot stuffed pepper skillet recipe shines. It delivers all the comforting taste of homemade stuffed peppers without the lengthy prep or baking time, making it an ideal choice for any busy evening.
The Unexpected Creation of This Ground Beef Stuffed Pepper Skillet
The story behind this fantastic ground beef stuffed pepper skillet began unexpectedly back in 2016. I had promised my son his favorite stuffed peppers for dinner. My usual routine involved assembling them after lunch and scheduling them for a timed bake in the oven while I handled the afternoon school pickup. This method worked perfectly, ensuring a hot, ready-to-eat dinner.
However, on this particular day, just around noon, our power went out. While power outages occasionally happen and are usually brief, this one lingered for over four hours! As dinner time approached, I was on the verge of ordering pizza, thinking our stuffed pepper dreams were dashed. Then, a brilliant idea struck me: why not make them right on the stovetop, in a skillet? This simple shift from oven to stovetop was a game-changer.
The result was a delicious, hearty, and surprisingly quick one-pot meal that has been a staple in our rotation ever since. This “lazy” stuffed pepper skillet became an instant family favorite, proving that sometimes, the best recipes are born out of necessity and a touch of culinary improvisation. It’s truly a one-pot wonder that simplifies dinner without sacrificing flavor.
Key Ingredients for Your Lazy Stuffed Peppers Skillet
This incredibly simple stuffed pepper skillet uses many of the same core ingredients found in classic stuffed peppers, with a few additions that enhance its rich flavor profile and simplify the cooking process. To create this savory and satisfying one-pot meal, you’ll need:
- Lean Ground Beef: The foundation of this hearty dish. Lean ground beef ensures a flavorful meal without excessive grease. For a lighter option, ground turkey or ground chicken are excellent substitutes.
- Onion: Chopped yellow onion adds a foundational aromatic sweetness and depth to the dish, perfectly complementing the other flavors.
- Bell Peppers: The star of the show! You can use any color bell pepper you prefer. I often opt for a vibrant mix of green bell peppers for their classic flavor, and red bell peppers, yellow bell peppers, or orange bell peppers for added sweetness and beautiful color variety.
- Diced Tomatoes: Canned diced tomatoes contribute a tangy freshness and a delightful chunky texture to the sauce, marrying all the ingredients together.
- Tomato Sauce: This provides the rich, savory base for the dish. If you only have tomato paste on hand, remember you’ll need to dilute it with additional water or broth to achieve the right consistency.
- Instant Rice: Crucial for a quick meal, instant rice (either brown rice or white rice) cooks directly in the skillet, absorbing all the delicious flavors. Ensure you use instant uncooked rice for the best results in this recipe.
- Mozzarella Cheese: Optional, but highly recommended for that irresistible melty, cheesy finish. Shredded mozzarella adds a creamy layer that elevates the dish to pure comfort food status.
- Water: Essential for cooking the rice and creating the sauce. For an even deeper flavor, you can substitute water with beef broth or vegetable stock.
- Salt and Black Pepper: Simple seasonings that allow you to adjust the taste perfectly to your family’s preference. Don’t forget to season to taste!
*A full, complete, and printable recipe card with exact measurements and detailed instructions is provided at the bottom of this post.
Mastering the Stuffed Pepper Skillet: A Simple Guide
Creating this delightful Stuffed Pepper Skillet is incredibly straightforward, perfect for novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. Follow these simple steps for a meal that’s both quick and satisfying:
- Brown the Beef and Onion: Start by placing your lean ground beef in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, along with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper to season. Cook, breaking up the beef with a wooden spoon, until it’s fully browned and the onions are softened and translucent. Once cooked, be sure to drain any excess grease from the skillet to ensure a leaner, more flavorful dish.
- Combine the Remaining Ingredients: Into the same skillet, add the uncooked instant rice, your diced bell peppers, water (or broth for added depth), tomato sauce, and canned diced tomatoes. These ingredients will simmer together, creating a rich and aromatic sauce that infuses every bite.
- Simmer to Perfection: Give all the ingredients a good stir to combine them thoroughly. Cover the skillet tightly with a lid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow the mixture to cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the instant rice is tender and has absorbed most of the liquid. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Optional Cheesy Finish: At this point, the dish is ready to be enjoyed! Many times, we serve it just as it is, without adding cheese, which makes it a fantastic lower-calorie option while still tasting absolutely amazing.
However, can you really go wrong by adding a layer of melty cheese? Absolutely not! For those who love a cheesy indulgence, simply grate some fresh mozzarella cheese generously over the top of the skillet. Replace the lid and let it sit for an additional 5 minutes or so, allowing the residual heat to melt the cheese into a gooey, irresistible blanket. For the ultimate flavor and texture, I always recommend grating your own mozzarella cheese.
The result is THIS cheesy goodness: a truly comforting and delicious meal that’s perfect for any occasion. This one-pot, fresh-ingredient, easy-prep recipe is ready in about 30 minutes – it truly doesn’t get much better than that for a quick, satisfying family dinner!
Loved This Recipe? Pin It!
Don’t let this incredibly simple and flavorful bell pepper skillet meal slip away! Make sure to save it to your favorite Pinterest recipe board so you can easily find it whenever you need a quick and delicious dinner idea. Sharing is caring, and your friends will thank you for introducing them to this fantastic one-pot wonder!
Freezing and Meal Prep: Making Your Life Easier
Yes, this Stuffed Pepper Skillet recipe is an outstanding option for meal prepping and makes enough to feed approximately 8 people, making it perfect for families or for batch cooking. I personally love to freeze individual portions in airtight containers. This way, you have a ready-made, healthy, and delicious meal waiting for you on those extra busy days. Simply defrost a portion overnight in the refrigerator, then reheat it in the microwave or gently warm it on the stovetop. It’s a fantastic solution for quick lunches or even quicker dinners, offering a comforting and flavorful low-carb meal whenever you need it most.
Substitutions and Creative Replacements for Your Skillet Stuffed Peppers
This Stuffed Pepper Skillet is wonderfully adaptable, allowing you to easily customize it based on what you have in your pantry or your dietary preferences. Here are some fantastic ideas for substitutions and creative twists:
- Protein Swaps: While lean ground beef is traditional, feel free to substitute it with ground chicken, ground turkey, or even ground pork for a different flavor profile. Each will bring its unique taste to the dish.
- Bell Pepper Varieties: Don’t limit yourself to just green bell peppers! This dish truly shines with an assortment of colors. Red, yellow, and orange bell peppers add a beautiful visual appeal and a sweeter flavor, complementing the savory beef and tomato base.
- Rice Alternatives: We typically use brown instant rice for its slightly nutty flavor and added fiber, but white instant rice works perfectly too. For an even lower-carb option, consider using cauliflower rice. It cooks quickly and blends seamlessly into the mixture, making it a great keto-friendly choice.
- Flavor Enhancers:
- Italian Flair: Introduce an Italian touch by stirring in a teaspoon of Italian seasoning along with the other ingredients. A pinch of dried basil or oregano would also work wonders.
- Umami Boost: For a savory, umami kick, serve the finished skillet with a drizzle of soy sauce. It adds an unexpected depth that is truly delicious.
- Spice It Up: If you enjoy a bit of heat, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a dash of hot sauce to the mixture while it simmers.
- Fresh Herbs: Garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro before serving for a burst of fresh flavor and color.
- Cheese Choices: While mozzarella is classic, experiment with other shredded cheeses like cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a Mexican blend for a different cheesy experience.
This meal truly welcomes experimentation, ensuring you can tailor it to your exact tastes every time you make it!
For the Enduring LOVE of Stuffed Peppers
Remember my confession about needing an intervention for my love of stuffed peppers? Well, I wasn’t exaggerating! But if you share this same passion, rest assured, I have a treasure trove of recipes that let you enjoy those incredible stuffed pepper flavors in countless creative ways. From traditional preparations to innovative twists, there’s a stuffed pepper recipe for every craving and occasion. Explore some of my absolute favorite stuffed pepper variations:
- Classic Stuffed Peppers
- Stuffed Pepper Meatloaf(pictured above)
- Southwest Chipotle Stuffed Peppers
- Hearty Stuffed Pepper Soup
- Delicious Stuffed Pepper Meatballs
- Baked Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
- Philly Cheese Steak Stuffed Peppers
- Stuffed Pepper Meatloaf Minis
- Italian Stuffed Pepper Skillet with Cauliflower Rice
And while we’re on the subject of effortless skillet meals – much like our amazing Stuffed Pepper Skillet – you can dramatically cut down on the time and effort required for traditional cabbage rolls by making my Unstuffed Cabbage Rolls Skillet! It’s another beloved meal in our household that takes almost no time at all to prepare. These 30-minute meals or less are truly my kind of cooking. How about you?
Ready to experience the joy of a homemade Stuffed Pepper Skillet meal? Let’s get cooking!
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Print Recipe
Stuffed Pepper Skillet
Equipment
- Cuisinart Boxed Grater
- OXO 3-Piece Wooden Spoon Set
- 12-Piece Black Sharp Knife Set with Covers, Cutting Board and Sharpener
- Lodge Pre-Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet With Assist Handle, 10.25″, Black
Ingredients
- 2 pounds lean ground beef
- 1/2 onion chopped
- Salt & Pepper to taste
- 2 bell peppers diced
- 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 8 oz can tomato sauce + 2 cans water
- 1 1/2 cup instant rice uncooked
- 1 cup Mozzarella cheese shredded (optional)
Instructions
- In a large skillet, brown ground beef with onion, seasoned with salt & pepper over medium heat. Drain any excess grease.
- Add in diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, water, diced bell peppers, and instant rice. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Cover the skillet and simmer over low heat until the rice is cooked through and tender, approximately 20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- If desired, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the skillet. Cover again for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is beautifully melted and bubbly. Serve hot directly from the skillet.
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted in 2019 and has been updated to improve user experience on January 16, 2022.
