Name: Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: Italian, American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 pounds lean ground beef browned; 2 teaspoons granulated garlic; 1 teaspoon dried oregano; 1 teaspoon dried basil; 1 teaspoon paprika; 1 tablespoon chopped fresh Italian flat-leaf parsley; 3 cloves garlic minced; 1 each, yellow, green, and red pepper sliced thin, cleaned, or diced; 1 15-ounce can of diced tomatoes or 4 plum tomatoes diced; 8 ounces of canned tomato sauce; 14 oz. can whole tomatoes (cut in half); 2 cups cooked rice; salt, pepper cayenne pepper to taste; 1/4 cup Parmesano Reggiano grated cheese for garnish; Optional: 2 cups shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese

Get the great taste of Stuffed Peppers unstuffed without the fuss in a one-pan skillet!

I've been making mom's recipe for years the old-fashioned hand-stuffed way for Italian Stuffed Peppers, but sometimes I am tired and throw it all in this delicious skillet on those busy days.

This easily adapted style recipe takes the fantastic classic flavors and ingredients of stuffed peppers, then turns them into a wonderful one-pan comforting quick meal, especially on a busy weeknight.

It's in between a deconstructed stuffed pepper casserole and an unstuffed pepper skillet both would be fitting names for this created style.

The best part is the rice, and beef comes together in a savory flavored sauce that really feeds a large family not only economically but deliciously.

Our deconstructed style rice also is so flavorful, the fussiest of eaters will love this and can even move the strips of peppers aside who aren't fans of them.

The whole meal depending can be put together quickly using cooked rice and sauteed ground beef, it's one of the most popular quick meals I can get on the table in less than 30 minutes.

Scroll down to the printable recipe card for all our suggestions, additions along with substitution ideas.

Step By Step Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

Cook the rice to package instructions and drain
Saute the beef and drain then set aside
Add the garlic, saute
Stir in the peppers beef, fresh tomatoes, canned sauce, herbs, and seasoning
Simmer
Stir in the rice
Heat through and add the grated cheese on top
Cool for 5 minutes before eating

Ingredients You Will Need

Scroll Down to the Printable Recipe Card for the complete recipe

cooked rice
cooked ground beef
grated Parmesano Reggiano cheese
plum tomatoes, or diced tomatoes in a can
tomato sauce
minced garlic
freshly torn basil
dried oregano
salt, pepper, and cayenne to taste
granulated garlic powder
olive oil
cooking spray oil

ingredients for unstuffed peppers with rice, beef and tomatoes

Additional Suggestions:

Meat lovers: 1/2 cup of any one of these cooked and boneless meats: chicken, steak, ham, pepperoni, hot capicola, or crumbled bacon (added on top of the tomato layer)
Other Vegetable Additions: mixed or substitutions for zucchini: chopped artichoke hearts, mushrooms, sliced peppers, sliced onions, chopped asparagus, chopped or diced eggplant, diced peppers, eggplant or another squash, chopped greens beans

cooked rice stirred into a one pan skillet

Tips or Additions

add dollops of ricotta cheese on top of melted cheese
add cooked loose sausage or ground turkey or lamb instead of beef
add tuna to the pan instead of beef
pepperoni is a nice addition substitution for ground beef and is quicker no cooking is needed
substitute white rice for brown rice or quinoa
other vegetables cut up can be used for an easy vegetarian recipe with my all-veggie suggestions
all green peppers can be used
the recipe can be doubled
use hot peppers for my spicy audience out there
this is a perfect potluck and picnic food
in place of rice use riced cauliflower

Pin Unstuffed Pepper Skillet for Later

one pan unstuffed pepper skillet pin for later

Quick and Easy One-Pan Recipes

If you love recipes in less than 30 minutes try our Roundup of our Favorite Eight 30-Minute Skillet Recipes, there is something for everyone.

These recipes are all simple to make with easy ingredients you will find in any supermarket in your local area, a win-win all the way around!