Description
A flavorful and hearty Stuffed Pepper Casserole featuring Italian sausage, bell peppers, and rice cooked together in a savory tomato salsa and chicken broth, topped with melted mozzarella cheese. This easy one-pan dish combines the classic flavors of stuffed peppers in a comforting casserole form.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 0.75 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- 0.5 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 0.75 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
- 0.25 teaspoon pepper
- 0.25 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
Grain and Cheese
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until it begins to brown.
- Add vegetables: Add the chopped bell pepper and onion to the skillet and cook about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Season and sauté: Stir in the garlic, salt, oregano, pepper, and cumin, and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape any browned bits off the bottom of the pan. Stir in the tomato salsa.
- Add rice: Rinse the rice well under cold water, drain, and add it to the skillet. Stir well to combine.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is fully cooked and liquid is absorbed.
- Add cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese over the top of the casserole, cover again, and let it melt before serving.
Notes
- For a simpler version, omit the onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin to make it closer to the original recipe.
- Use mild or spicy Italian sausage depending on your heat preference.
- Rinsing the rice is important to remove excess starch and prevent clumping.
- Covering the casserole after adding cheese helps it melt evenly.
- Ensure the skillet you use has a lid to maintain moisture during simmering.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 550 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 22 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg
