This Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers recipe comes together with ground beef, bell peppers, onion, tomato sauce, cooked rice, and seasoning. The same traditional stuffed bell pepper flavors but faster and less work!
This 9-ingredient unstuffed pepper skillet recipe is perfect for a simple weeknight dinner.
I grew up enjoying stuffed peppers weekly! I love how versatile and easy to adapt they are. But can we all just be honest, they're kind of a hassle to make and difficult to eat.
So why not combine all the ingredients together in one skillet instead? That's exactly what I did and y'all, it's amazing! Easy prep and quick cleanup, can't beat that.
Lazy Stuffed Peppers Ingredients
These unstuffed peppers couldn't be easier! Toss everything together, let cook, and serve. Here's what you need to get cooking:
- Ground beef: I tend to go for a lean ground beef.
- Bell peppers: For this recipe, I used a combo of red and green peppers.
- Onion
- Tomato sauce
- Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper
- Cooked rice
- Optional fresh basil, to top
How to Make Unstuffed Pepper Skillet
In a large skillet, saute peppers and onion.
Cook until soft then stir in ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks.
Pour in tomato sauce, seasoning, and cooked rice.
Reduce heat and let simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve topped with basil and enjoy!
Meal Prep Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers
To make-ahead, store leftovers or meal prepped portioned in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop.
This recipe always work great as a freezer meal! Let finished dish cool completely then store in a freezer safe container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating in the microwave or in a skillet on the stove.
Why You'll Love Skillet Stuffed Peppers
My stuffed pepper skillet using ground beef and peppers with cooked rice will work its way into your dinner rotation in no time. Here's why:
- Cooks in one pot
- Takes less than 30 minutes
- Uses fresh ingredients
- Dairy free (and delicious!)
- Gluten free
- Perfect for meal prep
Recipe Variations
- Vegan & vegetarian option: Use plant-based meatless crumbles!
- Make low-carb by swapping white or brown rice with cauliflower rice.
- Use ground turkey instead of ground beef.
More dairy free ground beef recipes
Looking for more dairy free dinner recipes? Try these ideas next:
- Mexican Style Stuffed Peppers
- Egg Free & Dairy Free Meatballs
- Ground Beef Flautas (in the air fryer)
- Dairy Free Enchiladas
- Loaded Burger Bowls
- The Best Dairy Free & Egg Free Hamburger
- How to Make Meatball Subs
- Homemade Sloppy Joe's
One Pot Deconstructed Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 pound ground beef
- 2 bell peppers chopped
- ½ onion chopped
- 15 ounces tomato sauce
- 1 tablespoon italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
- 1 cup cooked rice
- Fresh basil to top
Instructions
- Warm about a tablespoon of oil in a large skillet and sauté peppers and onion.
- Once soft and translucent, add ground beef, breaking it apart as it cooks.
- Reduce heat and stir in tomato sauce, seasoning, and cooked rice. Let simmer for 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately topped with fresh basil.
Suggested Products
Black Stainless Steel Measuring Cups and Spoons Set
Simply Calphalon Nonstick 12-Inch Omelette Pan
KitchenAid 3.5-Cup Food Chopper 
Donna Artino says
This was a winner. Sceptical at first but family fought over the leftovers
Jenna Urben says
Woo!! Love to hear that, Donna.
Cat Matlock says
I love it! I added some other spices to suit my palette, and topped it with nutritional yeast because that gives it the cheesy flavor I crave without the dairy my body rejects. Thanks for this recipe.
Jenna Urben says
YAY, you're so welcome 🙂 I love using nutritional yeast!!
jess lahti says
This was very yummy! What heat for the bell peppers and onions and for how long? I used 2 cups of cooked rice, a whole yellow onion, and 1/2 lb of ground beef, (why is beef so expensive!) I also added 2 cups of mozzarella when it had maybe 1 minute left of simmering. I put about 1 cup of water mixed from the tomato sauce cans to moisten it. I thought it needed a tad more salt, but that definitely could've been from my modifications. Would totally make again.
Jenna Urben says
Hi Jess, thanks for your comment! I saute my peppers and onions over medium heat for a little under 10 minutes, until they start to soften.
Lauren says
This recipe was easy and delicious! I added about a tablespoon of Worcestershire to the mixture and used instant rice added directly to the pan. It was perfect!
Jenna Urben says
Delicious 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
L.J. says
Used ground turkey and also added garlic, garlic powder and onion powder. It was great.
Jenna Urben says
Sounds great, thanks so much for sharing!
Tina says
I’ve made this a few times both with ground beef and ground turkey. It’s delicious! I love garlic so I add some garlic powder but follow the rest of the recipe. Everyone who has eaten eat has loved it.
Thanks Jenna for the great recipe.
Jenna Urben says
Hi Tina, your comment made my day! Thank you so much 🙂 I'm so happy you enjoy this recipe as much as we do.
Suzanne says
Great base recipe!!! I'll admit I did a couple tweaks the second time around but it was a hit both times!!!
Jenna Urben says
Thanks so much, Suzanne!