Unstuffed Peppers Ground Beef (Recipe for Printing)

Savory beef, peppers, and rice blended in a one-pan meal topped with cheese for a classic comfort dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
02 - 2 large bell peppers, diced
03 - 1 large yellow onion, finely diced
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced

→ Seasonings & Flavorings

05 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
06 - 1 tablespoon chili powder
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
09 - 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
11 - 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - fine sea salt, to taste
13 - freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

→ Sauces & Liquids

14 - 1 can (14.5 ounces) fire-roasted diced tomatoes
15 - 1 can (8 ounces) tomato sauce
16 - 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
17 - 1 large beef bouillon cube
18 - 1/2 cup marinara sauce

→ Cheese & Garnishes

19 - 1 and 1/4 cups freshly grated sharp Cheddar cheese
20 - 3 to 4 tablespoons freshly chopped Italian parsley

→ Cooking Oil

21 - 3 tablespoons olive oil, separated

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 12-inch oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat.
02 - Add the diced onion and chopped bell peppers. Sauté for 6–8 minutes until softened. Stir in minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds.
03 - Add tomato paste, chili powder, ground cumin, Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, red pepper flakes if using, salt, and black pepper. Sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
04 - Move vegetables to the perimeter of the skillet. Drizzle remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil into the center. Add ground beef or turkey and cook without stirring for 1–2 minutes until browned on the bottom, then break into chunks. Continue to brown and crumble meat, incorporating vegetables, for about 5 minutes.
05 - Pour in the fire-roasted diced tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, and crumbled beef bouillon cube. Stir to combine and cook until most of the liquid evaporates. Add tomato sauce and marinara sauce; stir to heat through.
06 - Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese over the skillet mixture. Transfer skillet to the oven and bake for 4–8 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
07 - Remove skillet from the oven, sprinkle with freshly chopped Italian parsley, and serve hot over prepared rice or cauliflower rice.

# Extra Tips:

01 - For a vegetarian version, substitute ground beef with plant-based ground meat or cooked lentils.
02 - To control spiciness, adjust the chili powder or add diced jalapeño. The dish can be prepared ahead and reheated.
03 - Avoid overcooking the vegetables for optimal texture.

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