Unstuffed Bell Peppers

These Unstuffed Bell Peppers are the easiest weeknight dinner and take half the time of regular stuffed peppers. They are hearty and delicious with simple ingredients.

A cozy, one-pan take on classic stuffed peppers without the extra work. These unstuffed pepper bowls are hearty, flavorful, and perfect for busy weeknights. Loaded with ground meat, bell peppers, rice, and a savory tomato-based sauce, this dish delivers all the comfort of the traditional version in a quicker, easier format.

On busy weeknights or when you just need a comfort dinner recipe, we have the easiest, most delicious options to choose from. If you enjoy the Unstuffed Bell Peppers, be sure to try the Lasagna Soup or even the One Pot Chicken Alfredo Tortellini, both tasty crowd favorites.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• All the flavors of stuffed peppers without the hassle.
• One-pot meal = easy cleanup.
• Family-friendly and customizable.
• Great for meal prep and leftovers.
• Ready in under an hour.

Ingredients:

• Bell Peppers – The main star of your dish!
• Small Sweet Yellow Onion – Offers a sweet and savory balance.
• Bacon Grease or Oil – Adds moisture and smoothness.
• Browsey Acres American Wagyu Ground Beef – The best ground beef for this recipe.
• Chili Powder – Adds a little kick without too much spice.
• Black Pepper – Simple yet essential.
• Smoked Paprika – Brings in a little more spice.
• Mexican Oregano – This will season the meat and give the specific Mexican flavor.
• Cumin – A classic spice for stuffed (or unstuffed) peppers.
• Minced Garlic – Feel free to use Jarlic (jarred garlic) for ease.
• Crushed Tomatoes – Adds the tomato flavor and consistency.
• Beef Broth – Brings moisture and flavor.
• Long Grain White Rice – This is the best type of rice to use.
• Shredded Cheese – The perfect topping!

How To Make Unstuffed Bell Peppers :

1. Put peppers/onions in a large pan and cook down on med heat in bacon grease for about 5-6 min.

2. Add and cook ground beef, I like to get a little color on ground beef before mashing.

3. Once ground beef is cooked through, add seasonings and garlic.(Feel free to remove a little grease with a paper towel if desired before adding seasonings.)

4. Pour in crushed Tomatoes. Add beef broth and bring to simmer.
5. Turn heat down to low medium and work in rice after rinsing until water is clear.

6. Cover and allow rice to simmer approximately 20 min until rice has absorbed liquid and is fluffy.

7. May take a couple min longer, just be patient.
8. Turn heat to low, add shredded cheese and cover until cheese is melted.

9. Enjoy!

Substitutions and Variations:

• Make it low-carb with cauliflower rice.
  
• Swap beef for ground chicken or turkey.
  
• Add beans for extra fiber.
  
• Spice it up with red pepper flakes or hot sauce.
  
• Make it dairy-free by skipping cheese .

Expert Tips:

• Use pre-cooked or leftover rice to save time.
  
• Don’t overcook the peppers, they should still have slight texture and not be mushy.
  
• Add a splash of broth if mixture gets too thick.
  
• Use freshly shredded cheese for best melting.
  
• Try ground sausage for extra flavor.
  

What to Serve With Unstuffed Bell Peppers:

• Garlic bread
  
• Simple green salad
  
• Roasted vegetables
  
• Steamed broccoli

Storage:

These can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months. When reheating you can use the microwave or the stovetop, adding more broth as needed!

Frequently Asked Questions:

What kind of rice works best?
Long-grain white rice, Jasmine or Basmati for example.

Can I make this vegetarian?
Yes! You can replace the meat with fillings like black beans, chickpeas, or lentils, combined with cooked rice or quinoa, tomatoes, onions, and garlic.

How do I keep it from getting watery?
Pre-cook the peppers as well as the rice to avoid moisture, and make sure your meat is thoroughly cooked.

More Easy Dinner Recipes To Try:

• Chicken Enchilada Tortellini
• Tortellini with Sausage
  
• Nashville Hot Shrimp
  
• Taco Tortellini
  

Unstuffed Pepper Bowls

These unstuffed bell peppers are the easiest weeknight dinner and take half the time of regular stuffed peppers. Hearty and delicious with about ingredients.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes minutes

Servings: 6

Video

Equipment

• Browsey Acres American Wagyu Ground Beef
• bacon up bacon grease

Ingredients

• 2 bell peppers (red, green, yellow)
• 1 small sweet yellow onion
• 2 tbsp bacon grease or oil
• 1 lb Browsey Acres American wagyu ground beef
• 1.5 tbsp chili powder
• 1 .5 tsp black pepper
• 1 tsp smoke paprika
• 1 tsp mexican oregano
• 2 tsp cumin
• minced garlic
• 15 oz crushed tomatoes
• 2.5 cups beef broth
• 1.5 cups long grain white rice rinsed
• 6 oz shredded cheese quesadilla or Monterey jack

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Instructions

• Put peppers/onions in a large pan and cook down on med heat in bacon grease for about 5-6 min.
• Add and cook ground beef, I like to get a little color on ground beef before mashing.
• Once ground beef is cooked through, add seasonings and garlic.(Feel free to remove a little grease with a paper towel if desired before adding seasonings.)
• Pour in crushed Tomatos.
• Add beef broth and bring to simmer.
• Turn heat down to low medium and work in rice after rinsing until water is clear.
• Cover and allow rice to simmer approx 20 min until rice has absorbed liquid and is fluffy. May take a couple min longer, just be patient.
• Turn heat to low, add shredded cheese and cover until cheese is melted. Enjoy!

Notes

This amount feeds about 6 people a decent sized serving. I salt to taste since the broth has sodium as well. If the rice looks like it needs more cook time but has absorbed most of the broth,  add about 1/4 cup of water and let it go a little longer.