Stuffed Pepper Skillet
Stuffed Pepper Skillet is a vibrant, flavor-packed, and comforting one-pan meal that combines juicy bell peppers, seasoned ground meat, cooked rice, and melted cheese. This quick and easy recipe brings all the joys of traditional stuffed peppers without the fuss, making it perfect for family dinners with minimal cleanup and customizable options.
- Author: Lina
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Skillet Cooking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Vegetables
- 3 bell peppers (mixed red, green, and yellow), halved and seeded
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup diced tomatoes (with juices)
Protein & Grains
- 1 lb ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
- 1 cup cooked rice
Dairy
- 1/2 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, pepper jack, or feta)
Spices & Oils
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice the bell peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes to create pepper “boats” for stuffing.
- Cook the Aromatics and Meat: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté diced onions and minced garlic until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes. Add the ground meat and cook until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks.
- Add Rice and Tomatoes: Stir in the cooked rice and diced tomatoes along with their juices. Season with cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper, mixing everything thoroughly to create a savory filling.
- Fill the Pepper Halves: Nestle the pepper halves cut side up into the skillet. Spoon the meat and rice mixture evenly into each pepper half, pressing gently to pack the filling.
- Cook and Melt Cheese: Cover the skillet and simmer on low heat until the peppers soften and the filling is heated through, about 10-15 minutes. Sprinkle shredded cheese evenly on top, cover again, and cook until the cheese melts and bubbles.
Notes
- Choose bell peppers of similar size for even cooking.
- Use pre-cooked rice to avoid soggy peppers.
- Do not overfill the pepper halves to ensure thorough cooking.
- Covering the skillet while cooking traps steam to soften peppers perfectly.
- Use a non-stick skillet to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper half
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: stuffed peppers, skillet recipe, one pan meal, quick dinner, family-friendly, ground meat, rice, easy dinner