Description
A hearty and flavorful Stuffed Pepper Casserole combining savory Italian sausage, colorful bell peppers, aromatic spices, and melted mozzarella cheese over tender rice for a comforting one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Meat and Vegetables
- 3/4 pound ground Italian sausage, mild or spicy (375g)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Seasonings and Liquids
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
Grains and Cheese
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until it just begins to brown.
- Sauté vegetables: Add chopped bell peppers and onion to the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until crisp-tender.
- Add garlic and spices: Stir in minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, pepper, and cumin and cook for 1 minute to release the flavors.
- Deglaze and add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, then stir in the tomato salsa.
- Add rice and simmer: Rinse the rice under cold water and drain well. Add the rice to the skillet, stir everything together, then bring to a simmer.
- Cook covered: Cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and let simmer for 20 minutes until the rice is cooked through and absorbs the liquid.
- Add cheese and melt: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the casserole, cover again, and let the cheese melt before serving.
Notes
- For a simpler version, omit onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin as in the original recipe.
- Use mild or spicy sausage based on your flavor preference.
- Make sure to rinse the rice well to prevent sticking and help it cook evenly.
- Covering the skillet tightly while simmering helps cook the rice thoroughly.
- This dish can be customized with different colored bell peppers for visual appeal.
- Leftovers reheat well and flavors often improve the next day.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 350 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 50 mg
