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Cozy One-Pan Cheesy Stuffed Pepper Skillet

one-pan cheesy stuffed pepper skillet - featured image

A quick and easy one-pan dinner featuring cheesy stuffed bell peppers cooked in a skillet, perfect for cozy weeknight meals with minimal fuss and maximum flavor.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 medium bell peppers (any color)
  • 1 pound ground meat (beef, turkey, chicken, or plant-based for vegetarian)
  • 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
  • 1 small onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup tomato sauce (marinara or plain)
  • 1 cup shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, or blend)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Handful fresh parsley or basil, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse the bell peppers and slice off the tops. Remove seeds and membranes to create hollow boats. Set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add diced onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Add ground meat to the skillet. Break apart and cook until no longer pink, about 6-8 minutes. Drain excess fat if needed.
  5. Stir in cooked rice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 3-4 minutes to meld flavors and thicken mixture. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  6. Spoon filling evenly into each hollowed pepper without packing too tightly.
  7. Sprinkle shredded cheese generously over each stuffed pepper.
  8. Place stuffed peppers snugly in the skillet. Add 1/4 cup water or broth to the bottom to keep peppers moist. Cover with a lid and cook over medium-low heat for 15-20 minutes until peppers are tender but hold shape and cheese is melted and slightly golden.
  9. Remove from heat, garnish with chopped parsley or basil, and serve warm.

Notes

Use firm, heavy bell peppers to avoid watery filling. Avoid overcooking peppers to maintain structure. Use room temperature cheese for better melting. If skillet has no lid, cover with aluminum foil. Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated gently in skillet or microwave. For dairy-free, use plant-based cheese alternatives. Rice can be substituted with quinoa or cauliflower rice for low-carb option.

Nutrition

Keywords: stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, one-pan dinner, easy weeknight meal, skillet recipe, comfort food, ground meat recipe, bell peppers, cheesy skillet