Unstuffed Peppers Pan

Featured in Family Dinners.

This Unstuffed Peppers Pan takes the classic dish and simplifies it into a quick one-skillet version. Juicy ground beef, sweet bell peppers, rice, and melty cheese come together, saving loads of prep time. Tossed with paprika and chili powder for extra flavor, this hearty dish is perfect for a fast, no-fuss family dinner. Clean-up is easy too since it’s all cooked in one pan. A comforting, crowd-pleaser meal ready in just 20 minutes.
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Updated on Fri, 09 May 2025 15:43:54 GMT
A tasty skillet full of beef and veggies cooked together. Pin it
A tasty skillet full of beef and veggies cooked together. | tasteofmoms.com

This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is a real life-saver when you're short on time but want home-cooked comfort. After getting tired of stuffing individual peppers for years, I stumbled onto this quicker approach that's now my family's go-to dinner - giving you all those awesome flavors in way less time.

When I first put this on the table, my usually fussy teens actually wanted more. What made the difference? It's all about the spot-on seasoning mix and that gooey cheese that ties everything together.

Key Components

  • Ground Beef: Go with 80/20 for the richest taste and juiciness.
  • Bell Peppers: Grab different colors to make it pretty and get varied flavor notes.
  • Fresh Garlic: Always chop it fresh yourself instead of using the bottled stuff.
  • Robust Tomato Sauce: This creates the base for everything else.
  • Rice: Works great whether you cook it ahead or use the quick version.
A delicious meal of beef and vegetables in a skillet. Pin it
A delicious meal of beef and vegetables in a skillet. | tasteofmoms.com

Step-by-Step Process

Nail Your Preparation
Cut all veggies the same size so they cook evenly. Have your rice standing by if it's pre-cooked. Mix your spices in a small dish beforehand. Grate cheese right before using for smoother melting. Make sure your skillet is nice and hot before you start cooking.
Get the Right Sear
Set your big skillet over medium-high heat. Drop in the beef with plenty of space. Break it up into similar chunks as it cooks. Wait until you see some brown forming. Toss in your peppers and onions. Give it a stir now and then to keep food from sticking. Keep going until all the meat turns brown.
Create Deep Taste
Throw in the garlic and cook till you smell it. Scatter your seasonings all over. Mix everything so meat and veggies get coated. Pour in tomato sauce and paste. Stir it all together really well. Let it bubble gently for 2-3 minutes to blend the flavors. Give it a taste and add more seasoning if needed.
Wrap It Up Nicely
Put the rice into your pan. Fold it in carefully. Make sure it warms all the way through. Sprinkle cheese across the top. Put a lid on and wait for cheese to get melty. Add some fresh herbs on top if you want.

One game-changing trick I found was letting the meat get really brown before adding any veggies - it makes the whole dish taste so much richer in the end.

Heat Control Counts

Getting your stove set just right makes all the difference. Too hot and you'll end up with a burnt mess; too cool and you won't get those tasty browned bits that add so much flavor.

Fantastic For Planning Ahead

You can easily warm this up later, which makes it great for busy weeks. It actually tastes even better the next day after all the flavors have had time to mix together.

This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet has become my trusty backup plan when I need to get something tasty on the table without spending forever cooking. What's great about it is how simple and adaptable it is - just tweak the spices and toppings however you want. Just remember, don't rush - let each flavor develop fully before moving on to the next step.

A delicious meal of beef and vegetables in a skillet. Pin it
A delicious meal of beef and vegetables in a skillet. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I switch out the rice type?
Instant rice cooks fast, but feel free to use any pre-cooked variety you have.
→ What’s the best kind of ground beef?
Choose lean beef to avoid having extra grease in the dish.
→ Are different pepper colors okay?
Of course! You can mix and match any type of bell peppers you like.
→ How will I know when the rice’s ready?
Once it’s soft, after around 5-7 minutes of cooking with the lid on in the pan.
→ Can this be made ahead?
It’s best fresh, but there’s no problem reheating leftovers for an easy future meal.

Unstuffed Peppers Pan

An easy one-skillet dish with beef, rice, cheese, and peppers. All the taste of stuffed peppers minus the hassle.

Prep Time
5 Minutes
Cook Time
15 Minutes
Total Time
20 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Family Dinners

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 5 Servings

Dietary: Gluten-Free

Ingredients

→ Veggies and Protein

01 1 red bell pepper, chopped
02 1 green bell pepper, chopped
03 1 pound of ground beef, lean
04 3 minced garlic cloves
05 ½ cup diced onions

→ Seasoning and Base

06 1½ cups of instant rice
07 ¼ teaspoon black pepper
08 ½ teaspoon salt
09 1 teaspoon of chili powder
10 ½ teaspoon of paprika
11 1 (16-ounce) can of tomato sauce

→ Extras

12 Cilantro, diced, for finishing
13 2 cups of grated cheddar cheese

Instructions

Step 01

Set your skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the beef, onion, garlic, and both types of bell peppers. Let it cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat browns and the veggies soften.

Step 02

Mix in the rice, tomato sauce, and all the seasonings (salt, pepper, paprika, chili powder). Bring it to a boil, then lower the heat and cover it up. Let it cook for about 5 to 7 minutes until the rice is soft.

Step 03

Stir in the cheese until it melts completely. Toss cilantro on top if you'd like before serving.

Notes

  1. A simpler way to enjoy stuffed peppers
  2. Stores well and reheats easily

Tools You'll Need

  • A big skillet with a lid
  • Measuring cups and spoons for accuracy
  • Knife and cutting board

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Includes cheese (dairy)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 428
  • Total Fat: 20 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 27 g
  • Protein: 34 g