Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
A flavorful and hearty Stuffed Pepper Casserole featuring Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and rice simmered in a savory tomato salsa and chicken broth mixture, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This one-pan dish is quick to prepare, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner for six.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- ¾ pound ground Italian sausage (mild or spicy) (375g)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Spices and Seasonings
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Liquids and Grains
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the ground Italian sausage until it begins to brown, ensuring it is cooked through and starting to develop color for flavor.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers and finely chopped onion to the skillet with the sausage. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add Garlic and Spices: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, and cumin. Cook this mixture for 1 minute to release the aromas and blend the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Salsa: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth. Using a wooden spoon, scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan to incorporate their rich flavor. Then stir in the tomato salsa thoroughly.
- Add Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice under cold water and drain well. Add the rice to the skillet, stirring well so it is evenly distributed in the sauce.
- Simmer to Cook Rice: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let it cook gently for 15 to 20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover the skillet again and let it sit a few minutes until the cheese melts completely.
- Serve: Serve warm, spooning the flavorful stuffed pepper casserole onto plates for a satisfying meal.
Notes
- Using low-sodium chicken broth helps control the saltiness of the dish.
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- Feel free to use any combination of bell peppers for color and flavor variety.
- Make sure to rinse the rice well; this helps prevent it from being too sticky.
- Covering the skillet during simmering and cheese melting helps cook the rice evenly and melt the cheese perfectly.
Keywords: stuffed pepper casserole, Italian sausage casserole, one-pan dinner, bell peppers, mozzarella cheese, quick dinner, family meal, skillet recipe
Find it online: https://savorandsimmer.com/stuffed-pepper-casserole-recipe/
