Description
Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a hearty, flavorful one-pan meal featuring ground Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, garlic, and rice simmered in a savory tomato salsa and chicken broth mixture, then topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This easy-to-make casserole delivers all the classic stuffed pepper flavors without the hassle of hollowing out peppers, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- ¾ pound ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy (375g)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Spices and Seasonings
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Liquids and Grains
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
Cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until it begins to brown.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped bell pepper and onion to the skillet and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Season: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, pepper, and cumin, and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add Liquids and Salsa: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato salsa evenly.
- Add Rice and Simmer: Rinse the rice thoroughly under cold water, drain, and add it to the skillet. Stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.
- Cook Covered: Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and tender.
- Add Cheese and Melt: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the casserole, cover again, and allow the cheese to melt before serving.
Notes
- You can omit the onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin to make the original simpler version of the recipe.
- For a spicier version, use spicy Italian sausage or add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes.
- Use low-sodium broth to control salt content in the dish.
- Make sure to rinse the rice well to remove excess starch and prevent it from becoming sticky.
- If you prefer, substitute mozzarella with cheddar or a cheese blend for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
