Description
Cheesy Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is a comforting one-pan meal featuring browned ground beef, sautéed onions and bell peppers, tender rice cooked in a tomato-infused broth, and melted Monterey Jack cheese. This easy recipe delivers all the flavors of stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing, making it perfect for a quick family dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 1 pound ground beef
- ½ cup onion, diced
- ½ medium red bell pepper, diced
- ½ medium green bell pepper, diced
Liquids and Pantry
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth, divided
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 ½ cups diced tomatoes (about 8 ounces)
- 1 cup white long-grain rice, uncooked
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Worcestershire sauce (optional, a few dashes)
Dairy
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
Instructions
- Brown Beef: In a large, deep skillet (at least 10 inches), brown the ground beef over medium-high heat until fully cooked. Drain any excess grease and set the beef aside.
- Sauté Vegetables: Add olive oil to the same skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the diced onion and bell peppers, sautéing them until softened, about 3-5 minutes.
- Combine Broth and Paste: Pour in half of the chicken broth (1 cup) and add the tomato paste to the skillet. Stir well until the tomato paste has fully dissolved into the broth.
- Add Remaining Ingredients: Stir in the diced tomatoes, browned ground beef, remaining chicken broth (1 cup), and uncooked rice. Add Worcestershire sauce if desired. Season the mixture with oregano, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix everything evenly.
- Cook Rice: Bring the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, cover the skillet, reduce the heat to a low simmer, and cook for 20-22 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
- Melt Cheese: Turn off the heat and remove the lid. Sprinkle the shredded Monterey Jack cheese over the top of the skillet. Cover again and let it sit for 1-2 minutes so the cheese can melt.
- Serve: Serve the cheesy unstuffed pepper skillet immediately while hot.
Notes
- You can use ground turkey or chicken as a leaner alternative to ground beef.
- Adjust seasoning to taste, especially the salt and Worcestershire sauce.
- To keep the dish gluten-free, ensure Worcestershire sauce used is gluten-free or omit it.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of red pepper flakes along with the other seasonings.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in a skillet or microwave.
