Deconstructed Deliciousness: Unstuffed Pepper Skillet – A Quick and Easy Weeknight Dinner!

Craving the comforting flavors of stuffed peppers but short on time? Look no further! This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is your answer. It delivers all the savory goodness of classic stuffed peppers in a fraction of the time, using just one skillet for easy cleanup. Perfect for busy weeknights, this recipe is customizable, family-friendly, and guaranteed to satisfy your comfort food cravings.

Why You’ll Love This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Quick & Easy: Ready in under 30 minutes! No more stuffing peppers individually.
• One-Pan Wonder: Minimal cleanup – everything cooks in one skillet.
• Customizable: Easily adaptable to your dietary needs and preferences. Swap the ground beef for ground turkey, chicken, or a plant-based alternative. Add different vegetables, spices, or cheeses to create your own unique flavor combination.
• Family-Friendly: Even picky eaters will love the familiar flavors of this dish.
• Budget-Friendly: Uses affordable ingredients that you likely already have on hand.
• Packed with Flavor: A delicious blend of savory ground meat, sweet bell peppers, and a tangy tomato sauce.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a breakdown of the ingredients you’ll need for this delicious Unstuffed Pepper Skillet:

• Ground Meat: 1 pound of ground beef is the classic choice, but you can substitute ground turkey, chicken, pork, or a plant-based ground meat alternative. Choose a leaner ground meat to minimize grease.
• Bell Peppers: 2-3 bell peppers, any color (red, yellow, orange, green), chopped. A mix of colors adds visual appeal and a variety of flavors.
• Onion: 1 medium onion, chopped. Yellow or white onion works best.
• Garlic: 2-3 cloves garlic, minced. Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor.
• Cooked Rice: 1 cup cooked rice (white, brown, or wild rice). This acts as a filler and adds texture to the dish. Leftover rice works perfectly!
• Canned Diced Tomatoes: 1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes, undrained. The liquid adds moisture to the skillet. You can use seasoned diced tomatoes for extra flavor.
• Tomato Sauce: 1 (8 ounce) can tomato sauce. This helps create a rich and flavorful sauce.
• Tomato Paste: 1 tablespoon tomato paste. Adds depth and intensifies the tomato flavor.
• Italian Seasoning: 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. A blend of herbs that adds a classic Italian flavor.
• Paprika: 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Adds a subtle smoky flavor and color.
• Salt and Pepper: To taste. Season generously to enhance the flavors of the dish.
• Olive Oil: 1-2 tablespoons olive oil. For sautéing the vegetables and browning the meat.
• Optional Toppings: Shredded cheese (cheddar, mozzarella, Monterey Jack), fresh parsley, sour cream, green onions.

Step-by-Step Instructions: Making Your Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

Follow these easy steps to create a delicious and satisfying Unstuffed Pepper Skillet:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Chop the bell peppers and onion. Mince the garlic. Cook the rice according to package directions if you don’t have leftover rice.
2. Brown the Ground Meat: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the ground meat and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned. Drain off any excess grease.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Add the chopped onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the browned ground meat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are softened, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the Garlic and Spices: Add the minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and paprika to the skillet. Cook for about 30 seconds, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
5. Add the Tomato Sauce, Diced Tomatoes, and Tomato Paste: Pour in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (undrained), and tomato paste. Stir to combine.
6. Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook for 10-15 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Stir in the Rice: Stir in the cooked rice until well combined.
8. Season to Taste: Season with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your preferences.
9. Serve: Serve the Unstuffed Pepper Skillet hot, topped with your favorite toppings, such as shredded cheese, fresh parsley, sour cream, or green onions.

Tips for the Perfect Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

• Choose Your Ground Meat Wisely: Opt for a leaner ground meat to minimize grease. If using a higher fat content ground meat, be sure to drain off any excess grease after browning.
• Don’t Overcook the Vegetables: Cook the bell peppers and onions until they are softened, but still have a little bit of bite. Overcooked vegetables will become mushy.
• Use Fresh Garlic: Freshly minced garlic provides the best flavor. Garlic powder can be used in a pinch, but the flavor won’t be as intense.
• Simmer for Flavor: Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to meld together and creates a richer, more complex flavor. Don’t skip this step!
• Adjust the Seasoning: Seasoning is key to a flavorful dish. Taste the skillet before serving and adjust the salt and pepper as needed.
• Get Creative with Toppings: Toppings add flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the dish. Experiment with different toppings to find your favorites.
• Make it Ahead: This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet can be made ahead of time and reheated. It’s a great option for meal prepping or for busy weeknights. Simply prepare the skillet according to the instructions, let it cool completely, and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through.

Variations and Adaptations

This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is incredibly versatile and can be easily adapted to suit your dietary needs and preferences. Here are a few variations to try:

• Vegetarian/Vegan: Substitute the ground meat with a plant-based ground meat alternative, such as lentils, crumbled tofu, or textured vegetable protein (TVP). You can also add more vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, or corn.
• Low-Carb/Keto: Omit the rice or substitute it with cauliflower rice. Use low-carb tomato sauce and diced tomatoes without added sugar. Increase the amount of cheese and add other low-carb vegetables, such as broccoli or spinach.
• Spicy: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes or a chopped jalapeño pepper to the skillet for a spicy kick.
• Cheesy: Stir in shredded cheese, such as cheddar, mozzarella, or Monterey Jack, during the last few minutes of cooking. You can also top the skillet with cheese and bake it in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Different Vegetables: Add other vegetables, such as mushrooms, zucchini, corn, or spinach, to the skillet for added nutrients and flavor.
• Different Rice: Use different types of rice, such as brown rice, wild rice, or quinoa, to add variety to the dish.
• Stovetop to Oven: After simmering on the stovetop, top with shredded cheese and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
• Slow Cooker Version: Brown the ground meat and sauté the vegetables as directed. Then, transfer all ingredients to a slow cooker. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours. Stir in the cooked rice during the last 30 minutes of cooking.

Serving Suggestions

This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is a complete meal on its own, but you can also serve it with a side dish for a more substantial meal. Here are a few serving suggestions:

• Salad: A simple green salad or a Caesar salad pairs well with the Unstuffed Pepper Skillet.
• Garlic Bread: Crusty garlic bread is perfect for soaking up the delicious sauce.
• Cornbread: Sweet cornbread complements the savory flavors of the skillet.
• Roasted Vegetables: Roasted broccoli, asparagus, or Brussels sprouts make a healthy and flavorful side dish.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Storage: Store leftover Unstuffed Pepper Skillet in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Reheating: Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through. Add a splash of water or broth if the skillet seems dry. You can also reheat it in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.

Recipe Card

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• Can I use frozen vegetables? Yes, you can use frozen bell peppers and onions. Thaw them slightly before adding them to the skillet.
• Can I use canned rice? Yes, you can use canned rice. Be sure to drain it well before adding it to the skillet.
• How do I prevent the rice from sticking to the bottom of the skillet? Stir the skillet occasionally while it’s simmering to prevent the rice from sticking. You can also add a little bit of water or broth to the skillet if it seems too dry.
• Can I freeze this skillet? Yes, you can freeze this Unstuffed Pepper Skillet. Let it cool completely, then transfer it to a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before reheating.
• What if I don’t have Italian seasoning? You can substitute with a mixture of dried oregano, basil, thyme, and rosemary.

Conclusion

This Unstuffed Pepper Skillet is a delicious and easy weeknight dinner that’s sure to become a family favorite. It’s quick to make, customizable, and packed with flavor. So, ditch the individual stuffed peppers and try this one-pan wonder instead! You won’t be disappointed.

Enjoy!