One Pot Unstuffed Pepper Skillet – All the Flavor, None of the Fuss

Stuffed peppers are a comfort food classic—but let’s be real: they take time to prep, stuff, and bake. Enter the One Pot Unstuffed Pepper Skillet: all the flavors you love in stuffed peppers, simplified into a hearty, cheesy, one-pot dinner.

Made with ground beef, rice, tomatoes, and plenty of colorful bell peppers, this dish is weeknight perfection. It’s ready in about 30 minutes, requires just one skillet, and is endlessly customizable.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• One Skillet = Less Cleanup – No baking dish, no extra pots.
• Comfort Food Made Easy – All the same stuffed pepper flavors, half the effort.
• Family-Friendly – Mild flavors kids love, but easy to spice up for adults.
• Budget-Friendly – Uses simple, affordable pantry staples.
• Meal Prep Ready – Tastes even better the next day.

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
• 3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), diced
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice (uncooked)
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (with juices)
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• Fresh parsley (for garnish)

Instructions

1. Heat Oil: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.
2. Cook Beef: Add ground beef, cooking until browned. Drain excess fat if needed.
3. Add Veggies: Stir in diced onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook until softened.
4. Season: Add paprika, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir well.
5. Add Rice & Tomato Paste: Stir in rice and tomato paste, coating everything evenly.
6. Add Liquids: Pour in broth and diced tomatoes with juices. Mix well.
7. Simmer: Cover and cook for 18–20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until rice is tender.
8. Cheese Finish: Sprinkle with shredded cheese, cover until melted.
9. Serve & Garnish: Top with parsley and serve hot.

Variations

• Low Carb: Swap rice for riced cauliflower.
• Spicy: Add jalapeños or hot sauce.
• Cheesy Twist: Stir in cream cheese for extra creaminess.
• Different Proteins: Try ground turkey, chicken, or sausage.

One Pot Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

All the flavors of stuffed peppers made easy in this One Pot Unstuffed Pepper Skillet. A hearty mix of ground beef, peppers, rice, and cheese—all cooked in a single skillet for a quick and comforting weeknight dinner.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 6 bowls

Course: Dinner, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Comfort Food

Calories: 390

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 lb ground beef or turkey
• 3 bell peppers diced (red, green, yellow)
• 1 small onion diced
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup long-grain white rice uncooked
• 14 oz diced tomatoes with juices
• 2 cups beef or chicken broth
• 2 tbsp tomato paste
• 1 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp dried oregano
• 1 tsp salt or to taste
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• fresh parsley for garnish

Equipment

• Large skillet
• Wooden spoon
• Measuring cups
• Knife
• Cutting board

Method

 

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add ground beef, cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
3. Stir in onion, garlic, and bell peppers. Cook until softened.
4. Add paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. Stir in rice and tomato paste to coat evenly.
6. Pour in broth and diced tomatoes. Stir and bring to a simmer.
7. Cover and cook 18–20 minutes until rice is tender, stirring occasionally.
8. Sprinkle with cheese, cover until melted.
9. Garnish with parsley and serve hot.

Notes

Swap rice for cauliflower rice for a low-carb version. This skillet also works great with ground turkey or sausage.

Serving Suggestions

Serve this skillet meal with:

• A fresh green salad.
• Crusty garlic bread.
• Roasted veggies for extra nutrition.

Storage

• Refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Freeze for up to 2 months (without cheese topping).
• Reheat with a splash of broth or water to refresh.

Nutrition (per serving, 6 servings)

• Calories: ~390
• Protein: 24g
• Fat: 16g
• Carbs: 40g
• Fiber: 4g
• Sugar: 7g