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If you love stuffed peppers but don’t want to spend time filling and baking each one, this easy Stuffed Pepper Casserole gives you the same cozy flavor with the effort. Everything bakes together in one dish until it’s perfectly cheesy and comforting. It’s yummy, family friendly, and one of my favorite weeknight casseroles.
👉 Try it with my Queso Chili or One Pot Taco Soup next!
This Stuffed Pepper Casserole has all the flavors of traditional stuffed peppers but in an easy layered casserole form. It’s made with ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and melty cheese for the ultimate comfort meal. Everything bakes together in one dish for a simple, family-approved dinner that’s budget friendly and perfect for meal prep.
Why you’ll love this recipe…
This is one of those recipes that feels cozy and homemade but doesn’t take much effort. It has all the classic flavors of stuffed peppers — tender beef, sweet bell peppers, and rice — but in an easier, dump-and-bake style casserole.
It’s great for busy weeknights or Sunday meal prep because it reheats beautifully and freezes well. The melty cheese on top seals it as a total crowd-pleaser.
⏰ Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
🍂 Perfect For: Weeknight dinners, family meals, or meal prep
🛒 Key Ingredients: Ground beef, rice, bell peppers, Colby Jack cheese
🍽️ Servings: 5
🥄 Skill Level: Easy
🧊 Storage: Up to 4 days in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer
👉 Try my Taco Skillet or One Pot Macaroni Lasagna next!
Made With Love,
What You’ll Need for Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Here’s what makes this casserole so delicious and simple:
- Ground beef: Adds hearty texture and classic flavor.
- Bell peppers: A mix of red and green for sweetness and color.
- White rice: Cooks right in the dish and helps soak up the sauce.
- Worcestershire sauce: Adds rich, savory depth.
- Colby Jack cheese: Melts beautifully for a creamy topping.
👉 For another cheesy bake, check out my One Pot Beefy Cheesy Potatoes.
Full Ingredients List
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (14 oz) can petite or regular diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
🔒 The printable recipe card below includes the full ingredient list and exact amounts — perfect for saving or printing for later.
How to Make Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F.
Step 2: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and bell peppers. Break up the beef as it cooks until browned. Drain excess grease.
Step 3: Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Add the cooked beef mixture, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, water, rice, seasonings, and ½ cup of cheese. Stir well.
Step 3: Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Add the cooked beef mixture, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, water, rice, seasonings, and ½ cup of cheese. Stir well.
Step 4: Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
Step 5: Remove foil and stir. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
Step 6: Bake for 15 minutes more, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted.
Step 7: If the rice isn’t tender, add 1 more cup of water, stir, and continue baking until fully cooked.
🔒 The step-by-step instructions are also available in the printable recipe card below — don’t forget to save it for later!
Stuffed Pepper Casserole Variations
- Substitute ground turkey for a lighter option.
- Use brown rice instead of white rice for added fiber.
- Add diced zucchini or mushrooms for extra veggies.
- Try pepper jack cheese for a little heat.
👉 If you love this one, try my Ground Beef and Vegetable Soup.
My Pro TipS
Tips and Tricks
- Cover the dish tightly with foil so the rice cooks evenly.
- If using brown rice, add about 15 extra minutes of bake time.
- Shred your own cheese for the best melt.
- Let the casserole rest 5 minutes before serving to help it set up.
Recipe FAQs – Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Yes. Prepare the casserole up to the baking step, cover, and refrigerate for up to 24 hours. Bake when ready.
You can, but reduce the liquid by about half and bake uncovered for a shorter time.
Yes. Let it cool, wrap tightly, and freeze up to 2 months. Thaw overnight and reheat in the oven.
Colby Jack or mozzarella melt beautifully, but cheddar also works well.
👉 For another easy ground beef meal, try my Queso Chili.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a green salad or steamed veggies.
- Add a slice of garlic bread or crusty rolls on the side.
- Top with sour cream or chopped parsley for a little color.
Make-Ahead, Storage & Reheating
- Fridge: Up to 4 days
- Freezer: Up to 2 months. Consider portioning the casserole into single servings before freezing for easy lunches.
- Reheat: Warm in the oven at 350°F until hot throughout or microwave individual portions.
👉 For more freezer-friendly dinners, try my One Pot Taco Soup.
More Great Ground Beef Recipes
Tag me @julia.pacheco.cooking on Instagram if you make it. I love seeing your kitchen wins!
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, diced
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup uncooked white rice
- 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 14 oz can petite or regular diced tomatoes
- 1 ½ cups beef broth
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 ½ cups shredded Colby Jack cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef with the diced onion and bell peppers. Break up the beef as it cooks until browned. Drain excess grease.
- Spray a 9×13 baking dish with nonstick spray. Add the cooked beef mixture, Worcestershire sauce, diced tomatoes, broth, water, rice, seasonings, and ½ cup of cheese. Stir well.
- Cover tightly with foil and bake for 40 minutes.
- Remove foil and stir. Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top.
- Bake for 15 minutes more, or until the rice is tender and the cheese is melted.
- If the rice isn’t tender, add 1 more cup of water, stir, and continue baking until fully cooked.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Julia you have been my go to on my cooking journey! Now I’m trying to make things a little healthier. Any way you can add nutrition facts on your recipes? If not I completely understand I’m sure that’s a lot of extra work but thought I would check ❤️
Am I just not seeing in which step to add the rice? 😊
Looks amazing! Can’t wait to try it!
your directions don’t say when to add the rice but i’m assuming before it cooks for 40 minutes!
Just made this for supper and it’s delicious!!!