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Easy Unstuffed Peppers Recipe for Quick Weeknight Dinners

Unstuffed Peppers Recipe - featured image

This Easy Unstuffed Peppers recipe delivers all the comforting flavors of stuffed peppers without the extra prep, making it perfect for busy weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 23 bell peppers, chopped (any color)
  • 1 pound ground beef or turkey
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes
  • 1 cup tomato sauce
  • 2 cups cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil

Instructions

  1. Cook the rice according to package instructions if not already prepared. Set aside.
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
  3. Add diced onion and chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 5-6 minutes until softened.
  4. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Push the vegetables to one side of the skillet and add ground beef or turkey to the other side. Cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon.
  6. Sprinkle Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper over the mixture. Stir everything together to combine.
  7. Pour in diced tomatoes and tomato sauce. Stir well and let simmer for 5-7 minutes.
  8. Stir in cooked rice and mix until evenly distributed. Simmer for another 2 minutes.
  9. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top. Cover the skillet and let sit for 2-3 minutes until the cheese is melted.
  10. Serve warm in bowls and enjoy!

Notes

[‘Don’t overcook the peppers to keep them tender but slightly crisp.’, ‘Drain excess grease from the ground meat if needed.’, ‘Adjust seasoning to taste, adding extra oregano or basil if desired.’, ‘Prep veggies and cook rice ahead of time to save time during dinner rush.’, ‘Experiment with different cheeses like mozzarella or pepper jack for variety.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: unstuffed peppers, quick dinner, stuffed pepper alternative, easy weeknight meal, one-pan recipe