Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable Version)
Hearty skillet combines beef, peppers, tomatoes, and rice for quick one-pan comfort.
# What You Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 pound 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 ounces) diced tomatoes with juices
07 - 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
10 - 1 teaspoon dried basil
11 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
→ Garnish
14 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
# How-To:
01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the beef. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until the vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, and broth to the skillet. Sprinkle in the oregano, basil, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Uncover the skillet and sprinkle the mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Let it melt for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly.
07 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot while the cheese is melted.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- All the comfort of stuffed peppers without an hour of prep work
- One pan means almost zero cleanup after dinner
02 -
- Keep the lid on tightly while the rice simmers or it will not cook through evenly
- Do not lift the lid to check on the rice during the first 15 minutes or you will lose necessary steam
03 -
- Dice your peppers and onions to roughly the same size so they cook evenly
- Use a skillet with a tight-fitting lid to ensure the rice steams properly