Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)

Hearty skillet with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes—all the classic 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 Steps:

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 to 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 thoroughly.
05 - Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Uncover the skillet, sprinkle mozzarella over the top, and let it melt for 2 to 3 minutes.
07 - Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get all those classic stuffed pepper flavors without spending thirty minutes stuffing peppers
  • The rice cooks right in the skillet, absorbing all those delicious beef and tomato juices
  • Its a complete meal in one pan—minimal cleanup maximum satisfaction
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice is simmering—trapped steam is what cooks it evenly
  • The rice continues absorbing liquid after you turn off the heat so if it seems slightly watery give it a few minutes
  • If your skillet does not have a tight-fitting lid use a baking sheet or aluminum foil to seal it properly
03 -
  • Dice your peppers the same size as your onion so everything cooks evenly and looks uniform
  • Let the skillet rest off the heat for 5 minutes before serving—this helps the rice set up slightly

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