Stove Top Stuffed Pepper Casserole

I had a reader email me that she made my orginal stuffed bell pepper casserole recipe (which is AMAZING!) but she didn't have any rice on hand, so substituted by using stuffing. I thought that was a fantastic idea and had to make it myself.

Dan and I thought it was so good, I had to put it on the blog! I like it because it's a little faster to make and doesn't need to be baked in the oven!

You'll find this as irresistible as we do!

All of the ingredients needed to make the stove top casserole recipe. With print overlay for clarification.

What you’ll need: ingredients

Please refer to the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post for the exact measurements.

Ground beef - If you'd prefer, ground pork, turkey, chicken, or even lamb can be substituted in equal amounts for the ground beef.
Garlic and bell peppers - Green, yellow and red bell peppers. Though you can use just one color, using several is so pretty!
Stuffing mix - I used Stove Top Stuffing.
canned fire roasted tomatoes
Worcestershire sauce
Montreal steak seasoning and smoked paprika
salt and pepper
Colby jack cheese
butter
beef stock

Creative variations to try

Any combination of bell peppers can be used for this casserole- red, orange, yellow, or green.

I used Stove-Top chicken stuffing for this dish, but you can use any stuffing mix you and your family prefer. Herb-seasoned stuffing to turkey, or even cornbread stuffing!

Step-by-step guide: instructions

This is an overview of the instructions. For complete directions, scroll down to the bottom.

Ground beef in a skillet being sauteed with onions and bell peppers. Next, it's seasoned and continues to saute.

Add ground beef, diced bell peppers, and diced onions to a large skillet. Brown the ground beef and the vegetables. Drain if desired.
Next, add the minced garlic, and sauté for another few minutes.

Seasoned ground beef in a skillet, with cheese, stuffing mix, and diced tomatoes, and beef stock stirred in. Then topped with cheese.

Add the stuffing mix, tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce, Montreal grill seasoning, salt, pepper, paprika, half the shredded cheese, butter, and beef stock. Stir well.
Continue to cook, stirring occasionally.
Top the casserole with the remaining cheese, cover so the cheese will melt.

Watch and learn: recipe video

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Essential equipment for this recipe

Be sure you use a large skillet, preferably one with a lid. This is my favorite large fry pan in my kitchen!

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Frequently asked questions (FAQ's)

My skillet didn’t come with a lid. How can I get the cheese to melt?

No worries! My largest cast iron skillet didn’t come with a lid either, so when I need to cover it, I just use a flat pizza pan. Any baking sheet that covers the entire skillet will work just fine to trap in the steam and allow the cheese to get nice and gooey. Be sure, though, to use a pot holder or a kitchen towel to protect your hands from burns when removing it.

What type of cheese should I use for this dish?

This is also a matter of preference. I love Monterey jack cheese, but you can use your favorite or whatever is on hand. Cheddar, mozzarella, Colby, or pepper jack are all great cheeses for this casserole.

Stovetop stuffed pepper casserole in a skillet, ready to enjoy.

Deb's tips for the perfect dish

I highly recommend shredding the cheese from a block rather than using pre-shredded cheese from the grocery store. Not only does freshly shredded block cheese melt more evenly and taste creamier, but it’s also cheaper. Great money saving tip!

You can also melt and brown the cheese on top of the casserole by placing the entire dish under your oven’s broiler. It will only take a few minutes until the cheese is melted.

How to store leftovers

Refrigerate - Cool the Stove Top Bell Pepper Casserole to room temperature. Then, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Freezer - Store leftovers that have been cooled to room temperature in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months.

Reheat - Reheat on the stovetop in a skillet or individual servings in the microwave.

Stove top pepper casserole on a plate, with a fork.

More bell pepper recipes you'll love

In case you didn't know, I am a BIG fan of bell peppers! If you are, then there are some terrific recipes on the blog you will enjoy!

Perfect pairings: what to serve with

There are plenty-o-veggies in this easy dinner recipe, but a few more will make the meal that much better! How about some steamed green beans with a side of garlic bread. (Don't worry, you can finish it in the oven if you don't have an air fryer.)

If you're having company, or just enjoy something sweet after your meal, the Pistachio Nothing Bundt Cake recipe has the perfect crumble. It's a slice of nutty, butter goodness with every bite!

What did you think, don't you love this recipe? I hope so! Leave me a comment below!

Stove Top Stuffed Pepper Casserole