Description
Mexican-style stuffed peppers casserole delivers a hearty blend of ground beef, rice, and melted cheese in one comforting dish. Home cooks can quickly prepare this crowd-pleasing meal that brings zesty Southwest flavors to the dinner table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) ground beef or ground turkey
- 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
- 1 small onion, diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 4 cups (946 ml) beef broth
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) diced tomatoes
- 1 can (15 oz/425 g) tomato sauce
- 1 cup (185 g) cooked white rice
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- Preheat: Warm the oven to 350°F (175°C) for consistent, even cooking of the casserole.
- Meat Preparation: Brown ground meat in a large skillet over medium heat, draining excess fat completely to prevent a greasy texture. Add diced onions, minced garlic, and bell peppers, sautéing for 2-3 minutes until vegetables soften and release their aromatic essence.
- Flavor Fusion: Transfer skillet contents to a mixing bowl, incorporating beef broth, diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and black pepper to create a robust and complex flavor profile.
- Rice Integration: Gently fold cooked rice into the mixture, ensuring an even distribution and harmonious blend of ingredients.
- Baking Preparation: Grease a 9×13 inch (23×33 centimeters) baking dish, spreading the prepared mixture evenly across the surface. Cover with aluminum foil to retain moisture during initial baking.
- Cooking Process: Place the covered casserole in the preheated oven, baking for 25 minutes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to heat thoroughly. Remove foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to develop a slight crispness and golden-brown appearance.
- Serving: Remove from oven and let rest for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed, ensuring a perfectly balanced flavor profile before serving.
Notes
- Meat Selection Matters: Choose lean ground beef or turkey to reduce excess fat and create a healthier casserole without compromising flavor.
- Rice Rescue: Use day-old or slightly cooled rice to prevent mushiness and maintain a perfect texture throughout the dish.
- Seasoning Secret: Taste the mixture before baking and adjust spices to ensure a robust, well-balanced flavor profile that suits your palate.
- Foil Technique: Keep the foil cover loose to trap moisture while allowing slight air circulation, preventing the casserole from becoming soggy.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 7
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg