Description
Comfort meets convenience in this hearty stuffed pepper casserole, blending classic Mexican flavors with easy home-style cooking. Spicy ground beef, fluffy rice, and melted cheese create a delicious one-pan meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Proteins:
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup shredded chicken
Vegetables:
- 4 bell peppers, chopped
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup corn kernels
Dairy and Pantry:
- 2 cups cooked rice
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prepare for the casserole assembly.
- In a large skillet, brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until completely cooked through, breaking it into small crumbles.
- Add diced onions and minced garlic to the beef, sautéing until the onions become translucent and fragrant.
- Incorporate chopped bell peppers and corn kernels into the meat mixture, cooking for an additional 3-4 minutes to soften the vegetables.
- Stir in the shredded chicken, cooked rice, tomato sauce, and chicken broth, mixing thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
- Season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and dried oregano, ensuring even distribution of spices.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly across the surface.
- Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the entire casserole, creating a generous melty layer.
- Dollop sour cream across the top of the cheese, then dust with breadcrumbs for a crispy golden finish.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is completely melted and the top is golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let the casserole rest for 5-10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to settle and make cutting easier.
Notes
- Customize the protein by swapping ground beef with ground turkey or plant-based crumbles for a leaner, vegetarian-friendly version.
- Enhance flavor depth by using roasted bell peppers instead of raw, which adds a smoky, caramelized taste to the casserole.
- Control spice levels by adding a dash of cayenne pepper or hot sauce for those who enjoy a kick, or keeping it mild for sensitive palates.
- Reduce carbohydrate content by substituting rice with cauliflower rice, making the dish more low-carb and keto-friendly.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 497
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 704 mg
- Fat: 27 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 1 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 32 g
- Cholesterol: 96 mg