Unstuffed Pepper Skillet

Ingredients

• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1 tbsp olive oil (optional if meat is lean)
• 1 small onion (diced)
• 3 bell peppers (any colors, diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 cup uncooked rice (white or jasmine works best)
• 2 cups beef broth (or chicken broth)
• 14.5 oz diced tomatoes (1 can, do not drain)
• 1 tbsp tomato paste (optional but recommended)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning
• 0.5 tsp garlic powder
• 0.5 tsp onion powder
• salt (to taste)
• black pepper (to taste)
• red pepper flakes (optional for heat)
• 1.25 cups shredded mozzarella or cheddar (optional topping)

Steps

1. 1

   Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. If using lean meat, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the pan.

2. 2

   Add the ground beef to the skillet and cook until browned, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain any excess grease from the pan if needed.

3. 3

   Add the diced onion and bell peppers to the skillet with the meat. Sauté for 3–4 minutes until the vegetables have slightly softened.

4. 4

   Stir in the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant.

5. 5

   Add the uncooked rice, undrained diced tomatoes, tomato paste, beef broth, smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and optional red pepper flakes. Stir well to combine all ingredients.

6. 6

   Bring the mixture to a light boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low.

7. 7

   Cover the skillet with a tight-fitting lid and simmer for 18–22 minutes. The rice should be tender and most of the liquid should be absorbed. Stir the mixture once halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.

8. 8

   Once the rice is cooked, sprinkle the shredded cheese over the top of the skillet.

9. 9

   Cover the skillet again and let it sit for 2–3 minutes until the cheese is completely melted.

Notes

The transcript mentions using 2 lbs of beef and 2 cups of rice, but the written description (Primary Source) specifies 1 lb beef and 1 cup rice, which is standard for a single skillet meal. For best results, rinse your rice before adding it to the skillet to remove excess starch. You can garnish with fresh parsley if desired.

Nutrition per serving

• main
• one-pot
• skillet
• beef
• dinner
• easy
• weeknight