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Unstuffed Peppers Skillet


These easy unstuffed peppers are made on the stovetop in the skillet and it’s a perfect recipe to make for dinner tonight or when you have a busy weeknight. You will need only a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make this flavorful dish.

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skillet with unstuffed peppers, ground beef and red sauce

Why you will love it

  • If you love the stuffed peppers recipes then you will love this recipe as well since the prep steps are minimal, just chop and cook.
  • This recipe is versatile. You can use any type of peppers you like, and you can add whatever fillings you prefer: brown rice, cauliflower rice or skip rice completely.
  • It’s made with riced cauliflower instead of white rice, a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables.
  • The whole recipe asks only for seven main ingredients and it’s cooked in one skillet; it’s—a win-win for a low-key family-friendly dinner.

Key Ingredients

ingredients for unstuffed pepper skillet

Ingredient Notes

  • bell peppers, green bell peppers or any color, diced or sliced into thin strips.
  • 1 pound of ground beef.
  • 3 cups of riced cauliflower.
  • 1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded.
  • 2 cups of tomato sauce (passata).
  • 2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
  • 1 teaspoon of sea salt.

How to Make Unstuffed Peppers

Step 1. Gather the ingredients. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced peppers and cook until slightly softened and browned for approximately 5 minutes.

cutting board with diced bell peppers

Step 2. Add the ground beef, use a wooden spoon to break large chunks into smaller ones, and continue stirring the beef mixture until browned for about 5 minutes.

skillet with uncooked ground beef and diced bell peppers

Step 3. Stir in cauliflower rice, cook till soft, and not frozen anymore.

ground beef, peppers and rice cauliflower in the skillet

Step 4. Add tomato sauce, stir, bring to simmer, and cook covered for 10 minutes. The mixture should slightly bubble while covered. Once cooked, add salt and balsamic vinegar, stir well, taste, and adjust the flavor if needed. Top with shredded cheese, let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

skillet with red meat sauce, bell peppers

Recipe Tips

Choose the right type of pepper. The most common types of peppers used in stuffed peppers recipes are green peppers, but you can also use red bell pepper for a more sweet flavor.

Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs.

Serve the unstuffed peppers with your favorite toppings. Popular options include sour cream, yogurt, salsa, or shredded cheese.

Variations

There are many different variations of unstuffed peppers recipes out there. Some use ground beef, while others use ground bison, ground turkey, or chicken.

You can also find vegetarian versions that use quinoa or rice in place of the meat. The possibilities are endless!

One variation that is particularly tasty is the Italian-style unstuffed peppers recipe. This version uses ground beef, diced tomatoes or spaghetti sauce, onions, garlic, and red wine.

If you are looking for a more traditional stuffed bell peppers recipe, then you might want to try the classic version that uses ground beef, Jasmine rice, and tomato sauce.

When making unstuffed peppers, you can use a variety of different ingredients in place of cooked rice. Quinoa, couscous, and even chopped vegetables like cauliflower or broccoli would all make great substitutes in this dish.

If you’re looking for a lower-carb option, riced cauliflower, zucchini, and summer squash noodles would also be delicious. No matter what you choose, simply cook the ingredient according to the package directions before adding it to the rest of the recipe.

Best Seasoning For Unstuffed Bell Peppers

There are many different spices and herbs that can be used when making unstuffed peppers. Some of the best options include garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, basil, Italian seasoning, and thyme. These spices will add a lot of flavor to your dish.

best cheese to use when making unstuffed peppers recipe

There are a variety of cheeses you could use for your unstuffed peppers recipe, but I think mozzarella or cheddar work best.

You could also use a mixture of both kinds of cheese for added flavor. Buying a whole block of cheese and grating cheese at home adds a big flavor as well.

If you’re looking for a bit more of a cheesy kick, try using pepper Jack cheese. Whichever cheese you choose, make sure it’s nicely shredded so that it melts evenly throughout the dish.

how to store leftover unstuffed peppers

To store leftover unstuffed peppers, first place them in an airtight container. Then, store the container in the refrigerator for up to four days. When you’re ready to eat the peppers again, simply reheat stuffed peppers in the microwave or oven. Enjoy!

serving bowl filled with mixture of ground beef, rice and bell peppers

what to serve with unstuffed peppers

There are a few different ways that you could serve unstuffed peppers. You could pair them with a simple side salad, some roasted potatoes, or even some quinoa or jasmine rice. No matter what you choose to serve them with, these peppers are sure to be a hit!

FAQs

What are the benefits of making unstuffed peppers with riced cauliflower instead of rice?

Riced cauliflower is a great substitute for rice in unstuffed peppers. It is lower in calories and carbs, and it has a similar texture to the rice. Riced cauliflower also has a neutral flavor, so it will not overpower the other ingredients in your dish.

Can you freeze unstuffed peppers?

Yes, you can freeze unstuffed peppers. Place unstuffed papers in the air-tight freezer-safe dish in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat them, thaw the peppers in the refrigerator overnight and reheat the next day.

What is passata?

Passata is a smooth, thick sauce made from strained tomatoes. It is used as a base for other sauces and soups, or as a pasta sauce. Passata can also be used as a pizza sauce or to flavor casseroles and stews.

More ground Beef Recipes

More One-Pot Dishes

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skillet with unstuffed peppers, ground beef and red sauce

Unstuffed Peppers

Natalia-Flavorful Home
These easy unstuffed peppers are made on the stovetop in the skillet and it’s a perfect recipe to make for dinner tonight or when you have a busy weeknight. You will need only a few ingredients and less than 30 minutes to make this flavorful dish.
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 bell peppers diced
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 3 cup riced cauliflower frozen
  • 2 cup tomato sauce passata
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded

Instructions
 

  • Gather the ingredients. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced peppers and cook until slightly softened and browned for approximately 5 minutes.
  • Add the ground beef, use a wooden spoon to break large chunks into smaller ones, and continue stirring the beef mixture until browned for about 5 minutes.
  • Stir in cauliflower rice, cook till soft, and not frozen anymore.
  • Add tomato sauce, stir, bring to simmer, and cook covered for 10 minutes. The mixture should slightly bubble while covered. Once cooked, add salt and balsamic vinegar, stir well, taste, and adjust the flavor if needed. Top with shredded cheese, let stand for 5 minutes before serving. Enjoy!

Notes

Choose the right type of pepper. The most common types of peppers used in stuffed peppers recipes are green peppers, but you can also use red bell pepper for a more sweet flavor.
Cut the peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds and ribs.
Serve the unstuffed peppers with your favorite toppings. Popular options include sour cream, yogurt, salsa, or shredded cheese.
If you’re looking for a lower-carb option, riced cauliflower, zucchini, and summer squash noodles would also be delicious. No matter what you choose, simply cook the ingredient according to the package directions before adding it to the rest of the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 487kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 31gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 110mgSodium: 1515mgPotassium: 1233mgFiber: 5gSugar: 11gVitamin A: 2676IUVitamin C: 142mgCalcium: 273mgIron: 4mg
Tried this Recipe? Leave us a Comment!
Natalia | Flavorful home
Natalia is a recipe developer, food photographer, and home cook. She started Flavorful Home to document her recipes and share home cooking tips. She loves creating flavorful and nutritious meals while keeping the cooking process simple and joyful!
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