One-Pan Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet: The Ultimate Easy Weeknight Dinner
Say goodbye to boring weeknight meals and hello to this incredibly delicious and effortlessly quick Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet! If you adore the savory flavors of classic stuffed peppers but are always on the lookout for a faster, simpler approach (like many busy home cooks!), then this deconstructed version is about to become your new kitchen hero. This hearty one-pan wonder combines all the beloved components of stuffed peppers with the irresistible zest of a supreme pizza, all cooked conveniently in a single skillet.
Imagine tender ground beef, vibrant bell peppers, zesty tomato sauce, and savory pepperoni, all mingled with fluffy rice and topped with a generous layer of melted mozzarella cheese. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a comforting, flavor-packed experience that even the pickiest eaters in your family will rave about. Best of all? It’s designed for simplicity, making it the perfect solution for those hectic evenings when you crave a homemade, satisfying dinner without the fuss. Ready in just about 30 minutes from start to finish, this skillet meal truly delivers on taste, convenience, and minimal cleanup.
This “supreme pizza” masquerading as a wholesome, healthy one-pot meal is not only quick to prepare but also a fantastic way to incorporate more vegetables into your family’s diet. It’s a complete meal, packed with protein, grains, and colorful produce, ensuring a balanced and satisfying dinner that fuels everyone for the rest of the week. Forget the traditional baking time and individual pepper stuffing; this unstuffed skillet dinner offers all the same great flavors in a fraction of the time, making it a brilliant shortcut for busy parents and anyone seeking delicious efficiency in the kitchen.
What Makes This Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet Recipe So Irresistible?
There are countless reasons why this Unstuffed Bell Peppers Skillet stands out as a top-tier weeknight dinner, but let’s dive into some of the key elements that truly make it shine:
The Magic of Pepperoni
For many, it’s the pepperoni that elevates this dish from simply “good” to “unforgettable.” What is it about those tiny, savory slices that makes them so enticing? Is it their slightly spicy kick, their crispy edges, or just the sheer joy of anything “pizza-flavored”? Whatever the reason, pepperoni adds a distinctive depth of flavor and a wonderful textural contrast to this skillet meal. We often opt for turkey pepperoni, which delivers all the deliciousness without adding excessive fat, making it a smart choice for a balanced family dinner. Its rich, savory notes permeate the entire dish, creating a familiar and comforting pizza experience that kids and adults alike adore.
The Genius of Precooked Rice
This recipe smartly utilizes precooked long-grain rice, a secret weapon for busy cooks. Batch cooking rice at the beginning of the week is a game-changer for meal prep, and it’s an effortless shortcut that drastically cuts down on the overall cooking time for dishes like this. By having your rice ready to go, you can toss it into the skillet in the final stages, ensuring it’s perfectly heated through and absorbing all those incredible pizza flavors without waiting for it to cook from scratch. This strategy isn’t just for this recipe; cooked rice is versatile and can be used in numerous other meals, such as fried rice, rice casseroles, or even quick chicken and veggie bowls. If you’re a busy mom or anyone looking to add effective shortcuts to your meal planning repertoire, pre-cooking your rice is an absolute must-try.
Colorful and Versatile Bell Peppers
The beauty of this Unstuffed Pepper Skillet lies in its flexibility, especially when it comes to the bell peppers. Whether you prefer the vibrant sweetness of red bell peppers, the sunny crunch of orange bell peppers, or the slightly more traditional earthiness of green bell peppers, any color combination works wonderfully. I often grab a multi-pack from the grocery store to add a beautiful array of colors and a variety of subtle flavor notes to the dish. Beyond the peppers, feel free to customize this meal with your favorite pizza toppings. Sliced mushrooms, black olives, extra onions, or even some spinach can be easily incorporated to boost the nutrition and flavor profile, making each bite an exciting twist on a classic pizza experience.
Minimal Cleanup: Just One Skillet!
Perhaps one of the most celebrated aspects of this one-pan pizza dinner is the incredibly easy cleanup. Cooking everything in a single large skillet means significantly fewer dishes to wash afterward – a dream come true on any busy weeknight. This feature alone makes the Unstuffed Pepper Skillet an immediate favorite for families and individuals who prioritize efficiency and convenience without compromising on a wholesome, home-cooked meal.
Try These Other One-Dish Wonders Next:
- Philly Cheesesteak Tortellini
- One Pot Swedish Meatballs and Noodles
- Shepherd’s Pie with Tater Tots
- Italian Chicken and Orzo
- Cajun Sausage Alfredo
Here’s What You’ll Need to Make This Delicious Skillet Dinner:
This recipe relies on a combination of fresh ingredients and pantry staples, making it both accessible and budget-friendly. Most of these items are likely already in your kitchen, or easily found at any local grocery store. Here’s a detailed look at the simple yet flavorful components:
- Garlic: Freshly minced garlic adds an aromatic foundation to the dish. Don’t skip this for maximum flavor!
- Yellow Onion: Diced yellow onion provides a sweet and savory base as it caramelizes slightly in the pan.
- Bell Peppers: Three bell peppers of any color (green, red, orange, or yellow) for a pop of color, sweetness, and essential nutrients.
- Olive Oil: Used for sautéing the vegetables and browning the meat.
- Ground Meat: Lean ground beef or ground turkey works perfectly, offering a hearty protein base. Choose what your family prefers!
- Turkey Pepperoni: Cut into bite-sized pieces, these provide that classic pizza flavor with less fat. Regular pepperoni can also be used.
- Italian Diced Tomatoes: A can of diced tomatoes (with their juices) adds a rich, tangy tomato base to the sauce.
- Pizza Sauce: A jar of your favorite pizza sauce instantly infuses the dish with authentic pizza flavor.
- Leftover Cooked White Rice: An essential shortcut! Ensures a quick cooking time and a satisfying texture. Any long-grain white rice works.
- Basil: Dried basil is a key herb for Italian and pizza flavors.
- Black Pepper: Freshly ground black pepper seasons the dish and enhances other flavors.
- Beef Broth: Adds moisture and depth to the sauce, helping all the flavors meld together.
- Shredded Mozzarella Cheese: The quintessential pizza topping, melting into a gooey, irresistible layer over the skillet.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet:
Get ready to create a masterpiece in a single pan! Follow these easy steps to bring this flavorful and filling dinner to your table in no time.
1. Prepare Your Aromatics and Veggies: Begin by mincing the garlic and dicing both the yellow onion and the bell peppers into uniform, bite-sized pieces. This ensures even cooking and perfect distribution of flavors throughout the dish. Setting these aside makes for a smoother cooking process.
2. Brown the Ground Meat: Add the olive oil to a large, oven-safe skillet and place it over medium heat. Once shimmering, add your choice of ground beef or ground turkey. Break the meat apart with a spoon and cook until it is fully browned, with no pink remaining. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes. Browning the meat properly develops a rich flavor base for your skillet.
3. Drain Excess Fat: Carefully drain any accumulated fat from the cooked meat. This step helps keep the dish from becoming greasy and allows the other flavors to shine through more cleanly. You can use a slotted spoon to transfer the meat to a bowl while draining, or simply tilt the pan and spoon out the fat.
4. Sauté the Vegetables and Seasonings: Return the skillet to the heat (if you removed it). Add the diced onion, bell peppers, minced garlic, dried basil, and ground black pepper to the pan with the browned meat. Continue to cook and stir frequently over medium heat until the onions become translucent and soft, and the bell peppers start to soften, about 5-8 minutes. The kitchen will fill with wonderful aromas as the garlic and basil bloom.
5. Build the Flavorful Sauce: Next, pour in the Italian diced tomatoes (with all their delicious juices), the pizza sauce, and the beef broth. Add the turkey pepperoni pieces. Stir all the ingredients thoroughly to combine them well, ensuring the sauce evenly coats the meat and vegetables. This creates the rich, tomatoey base that truly ties the “pizza” flavors together.
6. Simmer to Perfection: Place a lid on the skillet and increase the heat to medium-high. Allow the mixture to come to a full, rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low, keeping the lid on, and let it gently simmer for 15 minutes. This simmering time is crucial for allowing the flavors to meld and deepen, creating a more cohesive and delicious sauce. After 15 minutes, remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the precooked rice, ensuring it’s fully incorporated and warmed through by the hot sauce mixture.
7. Melt the Cheese and Serve: Generously sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the skillet mixture. Cover the skillet again (or place it under a broiler for a few minutes if your skillet is oven-safe and you want extra-bubbly, browned cheese, keeping a close eye on it). Let it sit for about 5 minutes, or until the mozzarella has completely melted into a wonderfully gooey, irresistible layer and the rice is thoroughly heated through. Garnish with fresh parsley or a sprinkle of Italian seasoning, if desired. Serve hot and enjoy your easy, family-friendly Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet!
Pizza Unstuffed Peppers Skillet
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Ingredients
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 yellow onion, diced
- 3 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 1 Tablespoon olive oil
- 1 lb. lean ground beef or ground turkey
- ½ 5 ounce package turkey pepperoni, cut into bite sized pieces
- 1 15 oz. can Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 1/2 cups cooked white rice
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup beef broth
- 1 15 oz. can pizza sauce
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
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Mince the garlic and dice the onion and bell pepper into uniform pieces.
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Add the olive oil and ground beef (or turkey) to a large skillet. Cook the meat over medium heat, breaking it apart, until it is fully browned.
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Carefully drain any excess fat from the meat.
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Add the diced onion, bell pepper, minced garlic, dried basil, and black pepper to the pan. Continue to cook and stir over medium heat until the onions are soft and translucent, about 5-8 minutes.
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Next, add the diced tomatoes (with their juices), pizza sauce, beef broth, and turkey pepperoni. Stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients.
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Place a lid on the skillet and turn the heat up to medium-high. Bring the mixture to a full boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it continue to simmer for 15 minutes, with the lid on, allowing flavors to meld. Remove from heat and stir in the cooked rice until well combined and heated through.
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Sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese. Cover the skillet and let it sit for 5 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and is wonderfully gooey. Garnish with fresh parsley or extra dried basil, if desired, before serving hot.
Notes
Dairy-Free Option: You can omit the cheese to make this recipe dairy-free, or substitute with your favorite plant-based shredded cheese alternative.
Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. This dish reheats beautifully in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat.
Make it Spicy: For a little extra kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes when you add the basil and black pepper.
Vegetarian Adaptation: To make this dish vegetarian, simply swap the ground meat for a plant-based ground substitute or extra mushrooms and other vegetables. Use vegetable broth instead of beef broth.
Serving Suggestions: This one-pan meal is complete on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad, some crusty garlic bread, or a side of steamed green beans.
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