Sizzling Unstuffed Pepper Skillet Recipe: A Zesty Family Favorite

Hearty and quick, this unstuffed pepper skillet delivers a delightful twist on classic comfort food.

Colorful bell peppers dance with savory ground beef in a one-pan marvel.

Weeknight dinners just got easier with this simple and satisfying meal.

My kitchen always feels warmer when this skillet starts sizzling on the stovetop.

Packed with protein and bursting with flavor, you’ll love how simple it is to prepare.

Each bite promises a perfect blend of tender meat and vibrant vegetables.

Come hungry and ready to enjoy a meal that brings restaurant-style taste right to your table.

Unstuffed Pepper Skillet Made Easy

• Streamline Dinner Prep: Skip the complex stuffing process and enjoy a simplified, one-pan meal that delivers all the classic stuffed pepper flavors without the hassle.
• Minimize Kitchen Cleanup: Using a single skillet means fewer dishes to wash, making this recipe a time-saving solution for busy home cooks who want delicious meals without extensive cleanup.
• Customize with Ease: Adaptable recipe allows for quick ingredient swaps like ground turkey, brown rice, or additional spices to suit personal taste preferences and dietary needs.
• Family-Friendly Comfort: Packed with familiar ingredients and hearty protein, this dish appeals to both kids and adults, creating a satisfying meal everyone will love around the dinner table.

Ingredients for Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Ground Beef: A hearty and flavorful base that provides richness and protein to the skillet dish.

• Bell Peppers, Onion: Colorful vegetables that add sweetness, crunch, and nutritional value to the dish.
• Garlic: A aromatic ingredient that enhances the overall flavor profile of the skillet.

• Onion Powder, Garlic Powder, Italian Seasoning, Salt, Black Pepper: A blend of spices that creates a well-rounded and savory taste experience.

• Olive Oil: A cooking oil that helps sauté the vegetables and provides a subtle flavor.
• Petite Diced Tomatoes, Tomato Sauce: Juicy ingredients that add moisture and a tangy tomato flavor to the skillet.
• Instant Rice: A quick-cooking grain that absorbs the flavors of the dish and provides a satisfying base.
• Beef Broth: A flavorful liquid that helps cook the rice and adds depth to the overall taste.

How to Cook Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

Step 1: Fire Up The Skillet

Grab a large skillet and heat it over medium-high flame. Drizzle olive oil to create a golden cooking surface.

• Bell peppers
• Onions

Toss these colorful veggies into the hot pan, stirring them around to get a beautiful caramelized edge. Let them dance and sizzle for about 5 minutes.

Step 2: Brown The Beef

Drop the ground beef into the skillet and break it into crumbly pieces. Cook until every bit turns from pink to rich brown.

Sprinkle minced garlic and let it release its aromatic magic for a quick 30-45 seconds.

Step 3: Spice It Up

Pour out any extra grease from the meat.

• Onion powder
• Garlic powder
• Italian seasoning
• Salt
• Black pepper

Stir everything to create a flavor explosion.

Step 4: Build The Base

Time to create depth and richness.

• Petite diced tomatoes
• Tomato sauce
• Instant rice
• Beef broth

Mix everything together, ensuring the rice gets cozy with the other ingredients.

Step 5: Let It Simmer

Bring the skillet to a boil, then lower the heat.

Cover and let everything mingle and become tender. Wait until the rice absorbs all the delicious liquid.

Step 6: Serve With Love

Scoop this hearty skillet onto plates and watch everyone’s eyes light up with excitement. Dinner is served!

Tips to Perfect Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Cook bell peppers and onions until slightly caramelized for deeper flavor development without burning.
• Choose ground beef with 85% lean meat to maintain moisture while reducing excessive grease in the skillet.
• Use instant rice for quicker cooking, but substitute with long-grain rice if preferred, adjusting liquid quantities accordingly.
• Taste and adjust seasonings before final simmering to ensure robust, well-rounded flavor profile.
• Prepare the skillet in advance and reheat gently, as flavors will continue to meld and intensify overnight.

Variations for Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Spicy Southwest Pepper Skillet: Replace Italian seasoning with taco seasoning, add diced jalapeños, and top with shredded pepper jack cheese for a zesty kick.
• Mediterranean Lamb Pepper Skillet: Swap ground beef for ground lamb, use oregano and mint, incorporate crumbled feta cheese, and garnish with chopped parsley.
• Vegetarian Bean Pepper Skillet: Substitute ground beef with black beans and quinoa, add cumin and chili powder, and mix in corn kernels for extra texture.
• Mexican-Inspired Chorizo Pepper Skillet: Use chorizo instead of ground beef, add cilantro, incorporate diced green chiles, and serve with warm tortillas on the side.

Pairings That Work with Unstuffed Peppers

• Savor Complementary Wine Pairing: Choose a medium-bodied red wine like Zinfandel or Merlot that balances the savory beef and pepper flavors, enhancing the dish's robust profile.
• Elevate with Fresh Side Salad: Create a crisp green salad with cucumber, cherry tomatoes, and light vinaigrette to cut through the skillet's richness and add refreshing contrast.
• Match with Crusty Bread: Serve warm, rustic garlic bread or ciabatta to soak up the delicious tomato sauce and provide a satisfying textural complement to the hearty skillet.
• Boost with Cooling Yogurt Garnish: Top the skillet with a dollop of Greek yogurt or sour cream to add creamy tanginess and balance the dish's warm, spiced elements.

Storage Tips for Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Store leftovers in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Seal tightly and keep in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Cool completely before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
• Transfer cooled skillet to freezer-safe containers or freezer bags. Remove excess air, label with date, and freeze up to 3 months. Avoid freezing rice-based dishes for longer periods to maintain texture.
• Thaw overnight in refrigerator. Warm in skillet over medium heat, adding splash of beef broth to restore moisture. Stir frequently to prevent burning and ensure even heating.

FAQs

• What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have instant rice?

You can use regular long-grain rice, cauliflower rice, or quinoa as alternatives. Just adjust the cooking liquid and time accordingly.

• Is this recipe gluten-free?

The recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free beef broth and verify that your seasonings are gluten-free. Always check ingredient labels carefully.

• Can I make this recipe vegetarian?

Yes, replace ground beef with plant-based ground meat, crumbled tofu, or lentils. Adjust seasonings and cooking time as needed to ensure proper texture and flavor.

• How spicy is this dish?

The recipe is mild. If you want more heat, add red pepper flakes, cayenne pepper, or diced jalapeños during the cooking process to increase spiciness.

Unstuffed Pepper Skillet Recipe

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4.8 from 26 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 6 1x

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Description

Spicy Mexican-inspired Unstuffed Pepper Skillet delivers a quick, one-pan meal packed with bold flavors and hearty ingredients. Savory ground beef, bell peppers, and rice mingle in a zesty tomato sauce, creating a comforting dinner you’ll crave again and again.

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Ingredients

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Meat:

• 1.5 pounds (680 grams) ground beef

Vegetables:

• 1 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 0.5 yellow onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) minced garlic

Seasonings and Liquids:

• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt, to taste
• Black pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) olive oil
• 14.5 ounces (411 grams) petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 15 ounces (425 grams) tomato sauce
• 2 cups (480 milliliters) instant white rice
• Beef broth (salted, follow rice package instructions for ratio)

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Instructions

1. Prepare the aromatic base by heating olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, approximately 375°F. Introduce diced bell peppers and onions, gently stirring to ensure even coating with oil. Allow vegetables to soften and develop golden edges for 4-5 minutes.
2. Incorporate ground beef into the skillet, breaking it into crumbly fragments. Cook until meat transforms from pink to rich brown, eliminating any raw appearance. Introduce minced garlic and sauté for an additional 30-45 seconds to release its fragrant essence.
3. Eliminate excess fatty liquid from the meat mixture. Elevate flavor profile by sprinkling onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Thoroughly integrate seasonings into the meat and vegetable blend.
4. Gently fold in petite diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, instant rice, and beef broth. Ensure precise liquid ratio according to rice package instructions for optimal texture and absorption.
5. Increase heat momentarily to trigger boiling, then immediately reduce to low. Cover skillet and allow contents to gently simmer, approximately 15-20 minutes, until rice reaches complete tenderness and liquid vanishes.
6. Remove from heat and let rest for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately while maintaining optimal temperature and flavor intensity, presenting a hearty, rustic one-pan meal.

Notes

• Opt for lean ground beef to reduce excess grease and create a healthier dish that doesn’t compromise on taste.
• Swap white rice with cauliflower rice for a low-carb alternative that maintains the skillet’s delicious texture and flavor profile.
• Enhance protein content by adding a sprinkle of shredded cheese on top or mixing in some crumbled feta for extra richness.
• Customize spice levels by adjusting seasonings or adding a dash of red pepper flakes for those who enjoy a bit of heat in their meal.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Dinner
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 6
• Calories: 400 kcal
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Trans Fat: 0.5 g
• Carbohydrates: 30 g
• Fiber: 4 g
• Protein: 25 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg