Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Print version)

Hearty skillet combining ground beef, bell peppers, and rice in a savory tomato sauce. An easy one-pan meal ready in under an hour.

# Ingredient List:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb lean ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
03 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), diced
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced

→ Grains

05 - 1 cup long-grain white rice, uncooked

→ Liquids

06 - 2 cups low-sodium beef broth
07 - 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes with juices
08 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 tsp salt
13 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ Toppings

14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

# How To Make It:

01 - Heat a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the chopped onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for 2–3 minutes until the onion becomes translucent and fragrant.
03 - Stir in the diced bell peppers. Continue cooking for another 3–4 minutes until the peppers begin to soften but still retain some crunch.
04 - Add the uncooked rice, beef broth, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, oregano, basil, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover the skillet with a lid and simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Remove the lid and sprinkle shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cook uncovered for an additional 2–3 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
07 - Remove from heat. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and serve hot while the cheese is still melted.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one skillet, which means fewer dishes and more time on the couch
  • The rice absorbs all those tomato and beef flavors as it simmers, creating these tiny flavor bombs in every bite
02 -
  • Rice brands vary wildly in liquid absorption, so check a few minutes early and add a splash more broth if it looks dry
  • The residual heat will continue cooking the rice after you turn off the stove, so do not wait until it is completely dry before removing from heat
03 -
  • Dice your peppers slightly smaller than you think you need, because large chunks can feel unwieldy alongside the rice
  • Let the skillet rest covered for 5 minutes off the heat before serving, this helps the rice settle and makes serving neater

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