The Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet takes everything you love about traditional stuffed peppers and brings it together in a fast, fuss-free one-pan meal. Think juicy ground beef, tender peppers, savory herbs, and melted cheese all cooked in harmony no stuffing required.
Perfect for weeknight dinners or meal prep, this hearty dish satisfies with a rich, home-cooked flavor while saving you time in the kitchen. It’s also incredibly customizable swap beef for turkey, use brown rice for added fiber, or go vegan with plant-based alternatives and dairy-free cheese. All the comfort, none of the hassle.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients:
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1 tablespoon olive oil
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1 pound ground beef
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1 yellow onion, diced
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1 red bell pepper, diced
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1 green bell pepper, diced
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3 cloves garlic, minced
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1 teaspoon dried oregano
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1 teaspoon smoked paprika
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1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
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Salt and pepper to taste
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1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes
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1 cup cooked rice
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1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
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2 tablespoons chopped parsley
Directions:
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Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
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Add ground beef and cook until browned, about 5–6 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
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Add the diced onion, red and green bell peppers. Cook for 4–5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are soft.
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Stir in the garlic, oregano, paprika, red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Sauté for 1 more minute until fragrant.
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Add the diced tomatoes (with juice) and cooked rice. Stir to combine, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 5–7 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
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Sprinkle shredded mozzarella over the top, cover the skillet, and cook for another 2–3 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
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Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
Prep Time: 10 minutes | Cooking Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes
Kcal: 365 kcal | Servings: 4 servings
Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet is a clever reimagination of the traditional stuffed bell pepper dish only this time, it’s faster, easier, and cooked all in one pan. Perfect for busy weeknights or when you’re looking to make a wholesome, comforting meal without the hassle, this dish is everything you want in comfort food savory, flavorful, nutritious, and satisfying. By skipping the step of stuffing each individual pepper, this skillet meal saves both time and effort while still delivering the same rich taste and hearty texture.
This dish combines seasoned ground beef, sautéed onions and peppers, cooked rice, aromatic herbs, and a touch of cheese into a one-pan meal that delivers on both taste and convenience. Its simplicity doesn’t compromise the flavors, making it a go-to option for families, busy professionals, and home cooks who crave wholesome meals without spending hours in the kitchen.
The Origins of Stuffed Peppers and Why This Version Works
Stuffed peppers have been a staple in many global cuisines, from Greek gemista to Mexican chiles rellenos to Italian peperoni ripieni. Traditionally, they involve hollowing out whole bell peppers and stuffing them with a flavorful mixture of meat, rice, and spices before baking them. While undeniably delicious, stuffed peppers can be time-consuming to prepare and may require baking time that not every cook can spare during the workweek.
That’s where the Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet shines. It takes all the core elements ground meat, rice, vegetables, seasoning and transforms them into a rustic, skillet-based meal that cooks quickly and requires minimal cleanup. By cooking everything in one pan, flavors meld together beautifully, and you skip the tedious step of individually stuffing peppers while retaining all the nostalgic comfort of the classic.
Why This Recipe Is So Popular
One reason the Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet has become a trending household favorite is its unbeatable combination of convenience and flavor. Here’s why it continues to win fans across the culinary world:
- Time-efficient: The entire recipe is usually completed in under 30 minutes.
- One-pan simplicity: Fewer dishes to clean up make it appealing to home cooks of all experience levels.
- Customizable: You can swap the beef for ground turkey, chicken, or even a plant-based meat substitute. Likewise, you can use brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice depending on dietary needs.
- Kid-friendly: The combination of meat, cheese, and flavorful vegetables is both approachable and appealing to children.
- Nutritious: Packed with vegetables, protein, and fiber, it’s a balanced meal in one skillet.
Nutritional Benefits of the Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet
Despite being comfort food, this dish offers an impressive nutritional profile. Bell peppers are loaded with vitamins C, A, and B6, while also offering a generous amount of dietary fiber and antioxidants. Ground beef (especially if you use lean or grass-fed) provides essential nutrients like protein, iron, zinc, and vitamin B12.
Rice adds carbohydrates for energy and fullness, while the addition of tomatoes and herbs boosts the antioxidant content of the meal. You can easily make this dish even healthier by reducing the cheese, using brown rice, or opting for low-fat ground meat.
For those on special diets:
- Gluten-free: This dish is naturally gluten-free if you ensure your rice and other ingredients don’t contain any gluten-based additives.
- Low-carb option: Replace rice with cauliflower rice to make it keto-friendly.
- Dairy-free: Simply skip the cheese or use a plant-based cheese substitute.
Tips for Cooking and Customization
One of the best parts about this skillet recipe is how forgiving and flexible it is. Here are some expert tips to make your dish shine:
- Use fresh garlic and herbs: They enhance the flavor far more than powdered or dried versions.
- Pre-cook rice: Using leftover rice from a previous meal makes this dish even quicker to prepare.
- Balance spices: A touch of smoked paprika and oregano adds depth, but feel free to experiment with cumin, Italian seasoning, or chili powder based on your preferences.
- Make it cheesy or not: While mozzarella adds a creamy finish, some people prefer to leave it out or substitute with dairy-free options.
- Bulk it up: Add beans, corn, or chopped zucchini for added volume and nutrients.
Perfect for Meal Prep and Leftovers
The Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet isn’t just a quick dinner it’s also an ideal meal prep recipe. The cooked dish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four days, and the flavors deepen over time, making leftovers just as delicious as the fresh-cooked version.
To store, simply place cooled leftovers into airtight containers. When ready to eat, reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until warmed through. It also freezes well, though it’s best to freeze it without the cheese topping and add fresh cheese when reheating.
Meal preppers love this dish for its balanced macros and easy portioning. It’s a complete meal on its own but can also be served with a side salad, crusty bread, or roasted vegetables if you’re looking to stretch it further.
Serving Ideas and Pairings
Although it’s delicious on its own, here are a few ways to elevate your Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet:
- With crusty bread: A slice of sourdough or baguette complements the savory sauce beautifully.
- Over a bed of greens: Add a scoop of the skillet mixture to a salad for a warm-and-cold contrast.
- Stuff into tortillas: Turn leftovers into burritos or wraps.
- With a dollop of sour cream: Adds a creamy tang that pairs wonderfully with the spices.
- Add hot sauce: For spice lovers, a few dashes of hot sauce give the dish a zesty kick.
A Family-Friendly, Budget-Friendly Recipe
For families on a budget, the Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet is a lifesaver. Bell peppers, onions, ground beef, and rice are all affordable pantry staples, making this dish highly cost-effective.
It’s also easy to stretch. Add extra rice or veggies if you’re feeding a larger group. Double the batch and freeze half for later. Kids love it because it’s cheesy and familiar, and parents love that it sneaks in a generous serving of vegetables.
Conclusion: Why You Should Try This Dish Tonight
The Unstuffed Bell Pepper Skillet is proof that comfort food can be quick, easy, and wholesome. Whether you’re a parent looking for a crowd-pleaser, a college student cooking in a tiny apartment, or a seasoned foodie needing a shortcut to nostalgic flavors this dish is for you.
By skipping the traditional stuffing process, this recipe saves time without sacrificing the hearty, rich taste we all love in a classic stuffed pepper. It’s simple to prepare, endlessly adaptable, and irresistibly good.