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unstuffed peppers in a cast iron skillet on countertop with ingredients surrounding it.

Unstuffed Peppers (One Pan Recipe)

This Unstuffed Peppers recipe is a simple and healthy one-pan meal that’s perfect for a quick weeknight dinner or meal prep.
5 from 2 votes
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Course: Main Course
Keyword: easy, one pan
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 339kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground beef 85% lean or higher
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 bell peppers (any color) chopped
  • 1 small onion diced
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (with juices)
  • 1 tbsp tomato paste
  • 2 tsp Italian seasoning
  • ½ tsp salt or to taste
  • ½ tsp black pepper or to taste
  • 1 cup cooked rice
  • shredded cheddar cheese optional

Instructions

  • Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up with a wooden spoon or spatula as it cooks. Drain any excess grease or fat if needed.
  • Add diced onion, minced garlic, and chopped bell peppers to the skillet with the cooked ground beef. Cook 5-7 minutes or until the veggies are softened.
  • Stir in the diced tomatoes with juices, tomato paste, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
  • Stir in the cooked rice and reduce heat to low. Simmer everything together for 5 minutes to let the flavors combine. If it gets too thick or dry, add a splash of broth or water.
  • If using shredded cheese, add at the end and cover the skillet to allow the cheese to melt.

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
For more fiber and extra protein, add in 1/2 to 1 cup black beans when you add the rice. 
Enjoy this dish as-is or serve with a side of veggies, in a wrap, or over greens.
For more recipe variations, substitutions, and tips, see full blog post above.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25recipe | Calories: 339kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 26g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 413mg | Potassium: 851mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2995IU | Vitamin C: 127mg | Calcium: 82mg | Iron: 5mg