Introduction

Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish that brings together seasoned ground beef, bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, and rice. Topped with melted cheddar cheese, this one-dish casserole offers all the classic stuffed pepper flavors in an easy, family-friendly meal.

Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients

1 pound lean ground beef
2 large bell peppers, seeded and diced
1 onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 ½ cups beef stock
15 ounces diced tomatoes
1 cup long-grain uncooked white rice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons Montreal Grill Seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or regular paprika)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (reserve ½ cup for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a 9×13 casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
Step 2: In a large, deep pan over medium heat, brown the ground beef until fully cooked. As the meat cooks, chop the bell peppers and onion, then add them along with the minced garlic to the pan. Cook until the vegetables soften and become fragrant.
Step 3: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Montreal Grill Seasoning until everything is well combined.
Step 4: Add diced tomatoes, beef stock, uncooked rice, and 1 ½ cups of shredded cheddar cheese to the pan. Mix thoroughly, reserving ½ cup of cheese for later.
Step 5: Transfer the mixture into the prepared casserole dish and sprinkle the reserved ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly on top.
Step 6: Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is tender, the liquid is absorbed, and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Step 7: Remove the foil and place the casserole under the broiler for 3-5 minutes to brown the cheese. Watch carefully to avoid burning.
Step 8: Let the casserole rest for about 15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld and make it easier to portion.

Tips & Variations

Use regular paprika if you don’t have smoked paprika on hand.
Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes to the seasoning for a spicier kick.
Substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
Be sure to cover the casserole during baking to keep the cheese moist and melty.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through. The casserole may thicken slightly when stored, so adding a splash of beef stock or water when reheating can help loosen the texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use instant rice instead of uncooked white rice?

It’s best to use uncooked long-grain white rice as the cooking time and liquid absorption are designed for that type. Using instant rice may result in a mushy texture.

Can I prepare this casserole ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the casserole a day in advance and keep it covered in the refrigerator. Bake it as directed when ready to serve, adding a few extra minutes if baking from cold.

Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe

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Pioneer Woman Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a comforting and hearty baked dish that marries the classic flavors of stuffed peppers into one easy casserole. Featuring seasoned ground beef combined with diced bell peppers, onions, garlic, tomatoes, rice, and beef stock, this dish is topped with melted cheddar cheese for a satisfying family meal.

Author: Ella
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Yield: 6 servings 1x
Category: Casserole
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale

Meat and Vegetables

1 pound lean ground beef
2 large bell peppers, seeded and diced
1 onion, peeled and diced
3 cloves garlic, minced

Other Ingredients

1 ½ cups beef stock
15 ounces diced tomatoes
1 cup long-grain uncooked white rice
3 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ½ teaspoons Montreal Grill Seasoning
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
½ teaspoon smoked paprika (can use regular paprika)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided (keep aside ½ cup for topping)

Instructions

Preparation: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Prepare a 9×13 casserole dish by spraying it with non-stick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
Cooking the Meat and Vegetables: Place a large, deep pan over medium heat and brown the lean ground beef until fully cooked. While the meat cooks, chop the bell peppers and onion and add them to the pan. Mince the garlic cloves and add them as well, cooking until vegetables are softened and fragrant.
Adding the Seasonings and Remaining Ingredients: Stir in Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and Montreal Grill Seasoning, ensuring all ingredients are combined well. Next, add diced tomatoes, beef stock, uncooked rice, and 1 ½ cups of the shredded cheddar cheese. Mix thoroughly but keep aside ½ cup of shredded cheese for topping later.
Baking the Casserole: Transfer the entire mixture from the pan into your prepared casserole dish. Sprinkle the remaining ½ cup cheddar cheese evenly on top. Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 45 minutes, or until the rice is cooked, the liquid is absorbed, the cheese is melted, and the casserole is hot and bubbly.
Broiling and Resting: For a golden, browned cheese topping, remove the foil and place the casserole under the broiler for 3-5 minutes, watching carefully to avoid burning. After broiling, let the casserole rest for about 15 minutes to set before serving, allowing flavors to meld and easier portioning.

Notes

You can use regular paprika instead of smoked paprika if desired.
If you prefer a spicier casserole, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chili flakes when seasoning.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the oven or microwave.
For a lighter version, substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken.
Make sure to cover the casserole during baking to prevent the cheese from drying out.

Keywords: Stuffed Pepper Casserole, Ground Beef Casserole, Cheese Casserole, Easy Dinner, Weeknight Meal, Pioneer Woman Recipe