Description
This Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a flavorful one-pan meal combining ground Italian sausage, bell peppers, onions, and rice simmered in a savory broth with salsa, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. It’s an easy and comforting dish that captures the essence of stuffed peppers without the hassle of stuffing individual peppers.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ¾ pound ground Italian sausage mild or spicy (375g)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- ½ medium onion finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic finely minced
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- 1 cup long-grain white rice rinsed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the ground Italian sausage until it begins to brown, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped bell pepper and finely chopped onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add seasonings: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, pepper, and cumin. Cook the mixture for 1 more minute to release the flavors.
- Deglaze and combine liquids: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato salsa to combine.
- Add rice and simmer: Rinse the long-grain white rice well under cold water and drain. Add the rice to the skillet, stir everything well, and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
- Melt cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the skillet again and let the cheese melt, about 3 to 5 minutes, before serving.
Notes
- You can omit the onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin to make the original simpler version of this recipe.
- To make this recipe spicier, use spicy Italian sausage or add red pepper flakes.
- Ensure the rice is well rinsed to remove excess starch for better texture.
- If you prefer a creamier dish, stir in some cream cheese or sour cream before adding the mozzarella.
- Use a lid that fits the skillet well to ensure proper simmering and melting of cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
