One-Pan Unstuffed Bell Peppers

Wooden spoon serving unstuffed bell peppers.

One-Pan Unstuffed Bell Peppers

One-Pan Unstuffed Bell Peppers is everything you love about classic stuffed peppers, just way easier and faster. With seasoned ground turkey, tender rice, melty cheese, and colorful peppers all simmered in one skillet, it’s a flavor-packed dinner that comes together with minimal mess and major comfort.

Course Main

Cuisine American

Diet Gluten Free

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 35

Total Time 50

Servings servings

Calories 344

Author Kim

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small diced onion
2 medium diced bell peppers (any color, I like to use at least 1 red bell pepper)
2 cloves minced garlic
1 pound Italian seasoned ground turkey other ground meats will work
14 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes undrained
8 ounces canned tomato sauce
1 cup beef broth
1 cup instant white rice I like Minute rice in the red box
¼ teaspoon salt plus more to taste
¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Instructions

Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once hot, add the 1 small diced onion and 2 medium diced bell peppers. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the onions are soft. Stir in the 2 cloves minced garlic and cook for another 30 seconds.
Add the 1 pound Italian seasoned ground turkey and break it up as it browns. Cook until browned, about 5-10 minutes.
Stir in the undrained 14 ounces canned petite diced tomatoes, 8 ounces canned tomato sauce, 1 cup beef broth, 1 cup instant white rice, ¼ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low, and let simmer for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender.
Once done, remove from heat, sprinkle 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top, and cover again to let it melt before serving.

Video

Notes

If using unseasoned ground meat, add 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning along with the salt and red pepper flakes.
If using regular long grain white rice, rinse before cooking to remove surface starch, which can cause rice to stick together and become gummy when cooked.
Type of rice used can cause cooking time to vary. Refer to rice package directions and adjust as needed. I used Minute rice in the red box and simmering for 20 minutes was perfect.
To substitute with regular long grain white rice: Regular rice requires more liquid to cook. Increase beef broth to 2 cups.

This recipe was originally published June 2019. It was rewritten and republished with new photos and helpful tips August 2025.

Nutrition