The No-Fuss Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Recipe for Busy Nights

Weeknight dinners demand quick, delicious solutions that satisfy hunger without complex preparations.

This easy unstuffed peppers skillet recipe delivers bold flavors in just one pan.

Tender ground beef sizzles with vibrant bell peppers and zesty seasonings.

Perfectly seasoned rice mingles with hearty meat and colorful vegetables for a complete meal.

Every forkful brings layers of comfort and warmth to your dinner table.

The combination of classic stuffed pepper ingredients creates a streamlined, stress-free cooking experience.

Dive into this skillet sensation that promises maximum taste with minimal effort.

What Makes Unstuffed Peppers Skillet a Go-To Meal

• Minimize cleanup by cooking everything in a single pan, making this recipe perfect for busy weeknights and lazy cooks.
• Enjoy a hearty, satisfying meal that combines the classic taste of stuffed peppers with the convenience of a skillet dish, delivering rich flavors in every bite.
• Easily customize the recipe by swapping ground beef for turkey, adding different cheeses, or incorporating extra vegetables to suit your taste preferences.

Ingredients for the Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Recipe

• Ground Beef: A hearty protein that adds rich flavor and substance to the skillet meal.

• Bell Peppers, Onion, Garlic: Fresh vegetables that provide depth, sweetness, and aromatic base for the dish.

• Beef Broth: Creates moisture and enhances the overall savory profile of the skillet.
• Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Paste: Adds tangy moisture and helps create a robust sauce.
• Worcestershire Sauce: Brings a complex, umami flavor to the dish.

• Rice: Serves as a filling and absorbs the delicious flavors of the other ingredients.

• Italian Seasoning, Salt, Pepper: Classic spice combination that provides balanced and traditional flavor.

• Mozzarella Cheese: Melts beautifully and adds creamy richness to the final dish.

• Fresh Parsley: Offers a bright, fresh finish to the skillet meal.

Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Cooking Directions

Step 1: Brown Ground Beef and Aromatics

Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add ground beef, carefully chopping and stirring to break it into small pieces.

• Onions
• Garlic

Sauté until beef is completely browned and no pink remains.

Drain excess grease if needed.

Step 2: Create Flavor Base

• Beef broth
• Uncooked rice
• Bell peppers
• Diced tomatoes
• Tomato paste
• Worcestershire sauce
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir all ingredients thoroughly to combine and distribute evenly.

Step 3: Simmer and Cook

Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to medium-low.

Cover skillet with a tight-fitting lid.

Cook for 18-20 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.

Verify rice is tender and liquid is mostly absorbed.

Step 4: Melt Cheese Topping

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the skillet.

Cover and let cheese melt for 1-2 minutes.

Alternatively, place under broiler for golden, bubbly cheese.

Step 5: Garnish and Serve

Optional: Garnish with fresh chopped parsley.

Serve hot directly from the skillet for a rustic, family-style meal.

Tricks for a Perfect Unstuffed Peppers Skillet

• Remove extra fat from ground beef to prevent a greasy dish and ensure a cleaner, healthier meal.
• Use long-grain white rice for fluffy results or brown rice for added nutrition and a nutty flavor profile.
• Swap mozzarella with cheddar, pepper jack, or a blend of cheeses to create different flavor experiences.
• Replace ground beef with plant-based crumbles, lentils, or quinoa for a protein-packed meat-free version.
• Adjust heat by selecting mild or spicy peppers, or add red pepper flakes for an extra kick of flavor.

Best Way to Store and Reheat Unstuffed Peppers Skillet

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days, ensuring the container is sealed tightly to maintain freshness.
• Transfer cooled skillet to freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. Freeze for up to 3 months for best quality.
• Place portion in microwave-safe dish, cover with damp paper towel to prevent drying. Heat on medium power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval until heated thoroughly.
• Pour leftovers into skillet, add splash of broth or water to prevent sticking. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until heated evenly and reaches 165°F internal temperature.

What to Serve with Unstuffed Peppers Skillet

• Boost Flavor Pairing: Serve with a crisp, herbaceous Sauvignon Blanc that cuts through the rich beef and complements the bell peppers' sweetness.
• Wine Harmony: Choose a medium-bodied red like Chianti or Sangiovese to match the tomato-based sauce and meaty texture of the skillet.
• Fresh Side Kick: Add a zesty Mediterranean salad with cucumber, feta, and lemon vinaigrette to brighten the hearty main dish.
• Bread Companion: Pair with crusty garlic bread or warm focaccia to soak up the delicious sauce and add a satisfying crunch.

Fun Takes on Unstuffed Peppers Skillet

• Gluten-Free Pepper Skillet: Replace regular rice with cauliflower rice and use gluten-free broth for a celiac-friendly version that maintains the same delicious flavor profile.
• Low-Carb Pepper Skillet: Swap rice with riced cauliflower and use ground turkey instead of beef to reduce carbohydrates while keeping the hearty meal intact.
• Vegetarian Pepper Skillet: Substitute ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans, use vegetable broth, and keep all other seasonings the same for a protein-packed meat-free alternative.
• Mediterranean-Inspired Pepper Skillet: Replace Italian seasoning with oregano and za'atar, swap mozzarella for crumbled feta cheese, and add kalamata olives for a Greek-style transformation.

FAQs

• Why use Worcestershire sauce in this recipe?

Worcestershire sauce adds a deep, savory umami flavor that enhances the meat and provides a subtle tangy complexity to the dish, making the overall taste more robust and interesting.

• Can I use brown rice instead of white rice?

Brown rice takes longer to cook and requires more liquid, so you’ll need to adjust the cooking time and potentially add more broth to ensure the rice becomes tender and the skillet doesn’t dry out.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe isn’t automatically gluten-free due to Worcestershire sauce, which typically contains gluten. To make it gluten-free, use a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce or substitute with tamari or gluten-free soy sauce.

• How can I make this recipe spicier?

Add red pepper flakes, a diced jalapeño, or a dash of hot sauce when cooking the beef to introduce more heat and kick to the skillet meal.

Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 24 reviews

• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Hearty Unstuffed Peppers Skillet delivers classic comfort without complex preparation. Zesty ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and savory rice mingle in one pan, creating a quick, satisfying meal perfect for hungry families seeking delicious convenience.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Protein:

• 1 pound (454 grams) lean ground beef

Vegetables and Aromatics:

• 1/2 medium yellow onion (chopped)
• 3–4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 bell peppers (any color, seeded and chopped)

Grains, Liquids, and Seasonings:

• 3/4 cup (180 milliliters) white Jasmine rice
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) beef or chicken broth
• 1 14-ounce (396 grams) can diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 12–15 cranks fresh-ground black pepper

Cheese and Garnish:

• 1 cup (100 grams) shredded mozzarella
• parsley for garnish (optional)

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Instructions

1. Brown the protein mixture by heating a skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté ground beef with diced onions and minced garlic for 4-5 minutes, crumbling the meat until fully cooked. Drain excess fat if necessary.
2. Create the flavor base by adding broth, uncooked rice, chopped bell peppers, diced tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of ingredients.
3. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover the skillet, and simmer for 18-20 minutes. Allow rice to absorb liquid and vegetables to become tender. Stir occasionally and add extra broth if mixture appears dry.
4. Once rice is fully cooked and liquid is absorbed, top the skillet with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover and let cheese melt for 1-2 minutes, or place under broiler for a golden, bubbly finish.
5. Garnish with fresh chopped parsley for added color and freshness. Serve hot directly from the skillet for a rustic, comforting meal.

Notes

• Consider using lean ground beef or turkey to reduce fat content and create a healthier version of this hearty skillet meal.
• Swap white rice for cauliflower rice to make this dish low-carb and keto-friendly, providing a nutritious alternative for those watching their carbohydrate intake.
• For a vegetarian twist, replace ground meat with plant-based crumbles or extra beans, ensuring the dish remains protein-packed and satisfying for those avoiding meat.
• Keep the skillet covered during cooking to lock in moisture and prevent the rice from drying out, which helps maintain a perfect texture and prevents burning.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 450
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 35 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 30 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg