Healthy Unstuffed Pepper Casserole (One-Pan, 25 Minutes!)

Prep Time: 10 mins	Cook Time: 15 mins	Yield: 4–6 servings

We all love the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers—sweet bell peppers, savory meat, tangy tomato sauce, and gooey cheese. What we don’t love is the tedious process of par-boiling peppers, stuffing them individually, and baking them for an hour on a busy weeknight.

Enter the Healthy Unstuffed Pepper Casserole. This recipe takes all those beloved ingredients and deconstructs them into a single skillet that cooks on the stovetop in just 25 minutes. By using lean ground turkey instead of beef and loading it with colorful veggies, we’ve created a healthy comfort food dinner that is fast, affordable, and guaranteed to please the whole family.

Why This “Lazy” Version is Better

Besides being drastically faster, this skillet method ensures every bite has the perfect ratio of meat, rice, pepper, and sauce. You don’t have to worry about the peppers being undercooked or the filling being dry. It’s also a fantastic budget-friendly meal and a great way to use up leftover rice from a previous dinner.

Ingredients & Quantities

• 1 lb Lean Ground Turkey (93% lean works best)
• 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil
• 1 medium Yellow Onion, diced
• 2 large Bell Peppers (any color combo, chopped into 1-inch pieces)
• 3 cloves Garlic, minced
• 1 can (15 oz) Tomato Sauce
• 1 can (14.5 oz) Diced Tomatoes (undrained)
• 2 cups Cooked White or Brown Rice
• 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
• 1 1/2 cups Shredded Mozzarella or Cheddar Cheese

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Brown the Turkey: Heat the olive oil in a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the ground turkey and diced onion. Cook, breaking up the meat with a wooden spoon, until the turkey is browned and the onions are soft (about 5–7 minutes). Drain any excess fat if necessary.
2. Sauté Peppers: Add the chopped bell peppers and minced garlic. Cook for another 3–4 minutes, just until the peppers start to soften but still have some crunch.
3. Combine & Simmer: Stir in the tomato sauce, diced tomatoes (with their juice), cooked rice, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Bring the mixture to a gentle bubble. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 5 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and everything to heat through.
4. The Cheesy Finish: Uncover the skillet. Give everything a final stir. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top. Cover the pan again for 2–3 minutes, just until the cheese is completely melted and bubbly.
5. Serve: Garnish with fresh parsley if desired and serve hot right from the skillet.

Tips for Success

• Use Cooked Rice: This recipe is designed for pre-cooked rice. Using uncooked rice would require significantly more liquid and a much longer cooking time, turning it into a different dish entirely.
• Customize the Veggies: Feel free to sneak in extra vegetables like diced zucchini, mushrooms, or even spinach along with the peppers.
• Make it Spicy: For a kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes or use Fire-Roasted diced tomatoes.

Storage & Reheating

• Fridge: Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
• Reheating: Reheat gently in the microwave or on the stovetop with a splash of water or broth to keep it from drying out.

Conclusion

This Healthy Unstuffed Pepper Casserole is the ultimate weeknight win. It proves that you don’t need hours in the kitchen to put a nutritious, comforting, and flavorful meal on the table.