Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Casserole Recipe
This Crockpot Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a comforting, easy-to-make dish that captures all the flavors of classic stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing each pepper individually. Ground beef, bell peppers, rice, and tomatoes cook together slowly in a flavorful broth and Italian seasoning, topped off with melted mozzarella cheese for a gooey, satisfying finish. Perfect for a hands-off family dinner.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours 30 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 45 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef (browned and drained)
- 1 small onion (diced)
- 2 bell peppers (diced)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain rice
- 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups beef broth
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Brown the ground beef in a skillet until fully cooked, then drain excess fat. Dice the onion and bell peppers to ready them for the pot.
- Add to Slow Cooker: Combine the browned ground beef, diced onion, bell peppers, uncooked rice, diced tomatoes (with juice), beef broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper into the slow cooker. Stir gently to distribute ingredients evenly.
- Cook Low and Slow: Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 6 to 7 hours, ensuring the rice becomes tender and all flavors meld together beautifully.
- Add Cheese Topping: Once the rice and vegetables are cooked, sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover the slow cooker again and cook for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted and bubbly.
- Final Stir and Serve: Give the casserole a light stir to combine the melted cheese with the rest of the dish, then serve warm for a hearty and flavorful meal.
Notes
- Make sure to brown and drain the ground beef properly to avoid excess grease in the casserole.
- If you prefer softer peppers, dice them smaller or cook longer.
- This recipe can be customized by using ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or oven.
- For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with cooked lentils or plant-based protein and use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Keywords: Crockpot stuffed peppers, slow cooker casserole, easy dinner recipe, ground beef casserole, one-pot meal
