Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)
Hearty beef and pepper skillet with rice, tomatoes, and melted mozzarella—ready in 45 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Proteins
01 - 1 lb ground beef
→ Vegetables
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
→ Rice & Tomatoes
05 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
07 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth
→ Seasonings
09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp kosher salt
→ Garnish
14 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Cook the ground beef in a large skillet over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 4–5 minutes until softened.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes with juices, tomato sauce, and broth. Sprinkle in oregano, basil, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18–20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
06 - Uncover the skillet and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top. Let it melt for 2–3 minutes.
07 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Everything cooks in one pan, which means less cleanup and more time to actually enjoy your evening
- The rice absorbs all those gorgeous tomato and beef flavors as it simmers, making every bite taste like it cooked for hours
02 -
- Dont lift the lid while the rice is simmering, or youll let out essential steam and end up with crunchy grains
- The rice continues absorbing liquid as it rests, so if there seems to be a little extra liquid when you first uncover it, give it a few minutes before deciding to add more broth
03 -
- Dice your peppers slightly smaller than you think you need so they cook down and meld into the rice
- Grate your own mozzarella instead of buying pre-shredded for the meltiest, creamiest results