Unstuffed Pepper Skillet (Printable)

Hearty one-pan skillet combining ground beef, sweet peppers, tomatoes and rice for a quick comforting meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Proteins

01 - 1 lb ground beef

→ Vegetables

02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 3 bell peppers (red, yellow, green), diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Rice & Tomatoes

05 - 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
06 - 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, with juices
07 - 1 can (8 oz) tomato sauce
08 - 2 cups low-sodium beef or chicken broth

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 tsp dried oregano
10 - 1 tsp dried basil
11 - ½ tsp smoked paprika
12 - ½ tsp ground black pepper
13 - 1 tsp kosher salt

→ Garnish

14 - ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
15 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

# How to Make It:

01 - Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and cooked through, approximately 5 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
02 - Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet. Sauté for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and beginning to caramelize.
03 - Stir in the minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
04 - Add the uncooked rice, diced tomatoes with their juices, tomato sauce, and broth. Sprinkle in oregano, basil, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
05 - Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed.
06 - Uncover the skillet and sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top. Let it melt for 2 to 3 minutes until bubbly and slightly golden.
07 - Garnish with chopped fresh parsley before serving hot.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Everything cooks in one pan so cleanup is practically nonexistent
  • The rice absorbs all those savory tomato juices while it simmers
02 -
  • Resist the urge to lift the lid while the rice is simmering or you will lose the steam it needs to cook through properly
  • The rice continues to absorb liquid after you turn off the heat, so do not worry if it looks slightly soupy when you first uncover it
03 -
  • Dice your vegetables slightly smaller than you think you need so they cook evenly with the rice
  • Let the finished skillet rest uncovered for five minutes before serving so the rice firms up slightly

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