It's been a busy day, and dinner is on your mind; stuffed bell peppers sound good, but you want something easy, not to mention delicious and nutritious. This Simple Bell Pepper Casserole fits the bill perfectly!
I use ground turkey instead of beef, so it is a healthy and delicious meal! And if you have leftovers, this casserole tastes even better the next day.
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The kids loved it and they were easily able to pop leftovers of this bell pepper casserole into the microwave and reheat it when they were ready for another meal.
This recipe post was updated in July 2021 with new photos and simplified instructions.
Ingredients used
- Rice, cooked
- Olive Oil
- Ground Turkey (or beef)
- Onion
- Salt and Pepper
- Italian Seasoning
- Garlic Powder
- Red Pepper Flakes
- Red Bell Pepper
- Green Bell Peppers
- Diced Tomatoes, canned
- Tomato Sauce
- Cheese, shredded
How to prepare this recipe
Start cooking the rice. When it is ready, set it aside.
Pre-heat the oven to 375-degrees F. Prepare a 13 x 9-inch baking dish by spraying it with non-stick spray.
If you buy cheese that isn't already shredded, go ahead and shred it now. Set aside.
Dice the onion and cut the peppers into 1-inch pieces.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil if you are using ground turkey. You can use ground beef instead but remember you will probably need to drain off any excess grease after the meat has cooked.
Add the meat, and using a wooden spoon, start to cook and crumble the ground turkey or beef. When the meat has started to turn brown, add salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and Italian Seasoning. (drain the beef before adding the spices)
Add the onions and peppers and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The onion and peppers will begin to soften.
Next, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and about ½ can of water. Bring this mixture to a boil and continue to cook for a few minutes.
Mix the cooked rice into the sauce and mix well. Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top the casserole with the shredded cheese.
Bake the Simple Bell Pepper Casserole for about 20 minutes. The cheese will melt, and the casserole will be bubbling.
Let the casserole cool slightly before serving.
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FAQ's and tips
Yes! I have done this. Remove the casserole from the refrigerator to warm slightly, then bake in the oven until the cheese melts and the casserole starts to bubble.
This is something my grandmother taught me. Place the frozen meat in the skillet or pot over medium-low to medium heat. Cover with a lid. Crumble the meat as it starts to thaw. Once the meat has thawed, you can turn up the heat a bit if needed and continue with the recipe as written.
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Recipe
Simple Bell Pepper Casserole
Ingredients
- 2 cups Rice cooked
- 1 tablespoon Olive Oil if using ground turkey
- 1 pound Ground Turkey *ground beef may be used
- 1 Onion small
- 2 Green Bell Peppers cut into 1" pieces
- 1 Red Bell Pepper cut into 1" pieces
- 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ⅛ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
- ½ teaspoon Salt to taste
- ¼ teaspoon Pepper
- 14.5 ounce Diced Tomatoes I like the fire roasted
- 14.5 ounce Tomato Sauce
- ⅓ cup Water
- 2 cups Cheese, shredded mozzarella and cheddar
Instructions
- Start cooking rice and set aside when it is ready.
- Pre-heat the oven to 375-degrees F. Prepare a 13 x 9 inch baking dish by spraying it with non-stick spray.
- Shred cheese if needed.
- Dice the onion and cut the peppers into 1 inch pieces.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add the olive oil if you are using ground turkey. You can use ground beef instead but remember you will probably need to drain off any excess grease after the meat has cooked.
- Add the meat and using a wooden spoon, start to cook and crumble the ground turkey or beef.
- When the meat has started to turn brown, go ahead and add the salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and Italian Seasoning. (drain the beef before adding the spices)
- Add the onions and peppers and continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. The onion and peppers will begin to soften.
- Next, add the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and about ½ can of water. Bring this mixture to a boil and continue to cook for a few minutes.
- Mix the cooked rice into the sauce and mix well. Carefully pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top the casserole with the shredded cheese.
- Bake the Simple Bell Pepper Casserole for about 20 minutes. The cheese will melt and the casserole will be bubbling.
- Let the bell pepper casserole cool slightly before serving.
Kebe
Kathy Hughes
I love this recipe but hubby doesn't like rice could you use pasta instead?
Keri
I have not tried this recipe with pasta. If you give it a try let us know how it turns out!
Pat Duncan
Just what I was looking for! My mom used to make this and this recipe was closest one I’ve ever found so far! It was easy to make and the family loved it. Definitely a keeper!
Sandra Windle
My family and church family loves this recipe. I always use Italian sausage instead of hamburger. YUM!
Melanie
We loved this casserole, much easier than stuffed peppers!
Lori K Davis
Oh my goodness my family love this so much that the second time I made it I had to make a double batch. Thank you for sharing this awesome recipe.
Lisa
My husband loved this will definitely make again.
Pat
Am making for 3rd time. A keeper in my family
Mia
Made this recipe exactly as posted. NO ONE in the household like it even remotely, total waste of time & money at least for us. Every one is different as I have read others enjoyed it.
Keri Hix
I'm sorry your family didn't enjoy it.
Mimi
Love this easy recipe. It’s SO much easier than stuffed peppers.
This will be my new go-to!
Appreciate the inspiration.❤️
Tina
Making this tonight…is it 2 cups of cooked rice added or cook 2 cups of rice then add? Thanks!
Keri Hix
2 cups of cooked rice.
Merry
Excellent we enjoyed it very much
Joyce whitmore
Loved it
Chris
What is considered a serving size?
Cook This Again Mom
Hi, I don't have an actual measurement. On the recipe card I put that this makes enough casserole for 8 servings. I based this on the total amount of all the ingredients, and that this casserole easily feeds my family of 4 with enough left over for the next meal. I hope that helps?
Alex
I made this and it came out great. I added some worchestchire sauce to give it a bit more depth in flavor, also used ground pork and lean hamburger instead of ground turkey. Separated because had to make a portion with non dairy cheese. Both versions loved. Thanks.
Lucy
Hi! I made this last night and my whole family loved it! I used hamburger meat instead of turkey. It was so quick and easy. I love this recipe and it has been added to my family favorites! Thank you so much for sharing.
Kathy Hughes
Can I make these and freeze it and when ready to eat bake and put the cheese on it. Want to prepare easy meals for my daughter who just had a baby.
Cook This Again Mom
Hi. I have not tried freezing the casserole but I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work. Just adjust the cooking time to make sure it gets heated through before serving. Congratulations on the baby!
Bruce Thorp
sounds terrific,but what size tomatoes and tomato sauce?
cookthisagainmom
I am so sorry I forgot to put the can size down! I use the 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes and 14.5-ounce can tomato sauce. Thank you for bringing that to my attention.
Tammy Patterson
I love this recipe, I tried it about 2 weeks ago. I am cooking it tomorrow in South Carolina. Love ❤
Amber Heiber
I added diced up tomatoes instead and no onion but added onion powder and more seasoning than recommended. Also used brown rice and will meal prep this for the whole week. Tasted amazing.