Budget Friendly Dinners, Casseroles, Dinner, Recipes / November 21, 2018

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole – this deconstructed stuffed pepper recipe is a cheap and easy dinner that won’t break the budget!

Austin and I cook dinner 5-6 nights per week so I’m always looking for ways to spice up old recipes. One of my favorite comfort meals is stuffed peppers. Stuffed peppers are so versatile; you can fill them with nearly any flavor or combination of a meat and a starch.

I grew up eating a traditional version of stuffed peppers made with white rice, beef, tomatoes and cheese. But, I always feel like the ratio is a little off. Do you know what I mean? There’s usually too much bell pepper and not enough MEAT [pretty sure my meat lover is grinning as he reads this]. Not to mention, I always find making them to be a chore.

Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole – this deconstructed stuffed pepper recipe is a cheap and easy dinner that won’t break the budget!

That’s why I created this deconstructed version: Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole.

Boom. Pepper to beef ratio FIXED. Exhausting stuffing process GONE. All that’s left is a hearty, flavorful casserole recipe that is easy to make and that will please the whole family.

A Budget Friendly Dinner

One of the best things about this dish is how cheap it is. Aforementioned meat lover and I are saving HARD CORE right now. I hope to share more on that soon 😉 One of the things we are looking at is our grocery bill. Holy cow! Between us friends, running a food blog is freaking expensive.

Well, that got me thinking about all of you. I think we all feel the pinch of the purse strings every now and then so I am going to start incorporating more budget-friendly dinner recipes into my posts. Hopefully some of you will find this helpful. I even created a new category under the “recipes” tab on the main menu above. This will start populating very soon.

Some other budget-friendly recipes to get you started are: Easy Cajun Jambalaya Pasta and Slow Cooker White Chicken Chili

Enjoy!

Kelsey Renee

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Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole – this deconstructed stuffed pepper recipe is a cheap and easy dinner that won’t break the budget!

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70 Comments

  1. Shelley shores

    What can you serve with this?

    21 . Apr . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hi Shelley, I usually serve it with a simple caesar salad. It’s a pretty filling casserole so you don’t need much!

      23 . Apr . 2018
  2. xoxlaurelei

    Hi Kelsey, just stumbled across your blog cruising pinterest for yummy things. Love stuffed peppers, can’t wait to try this. I’m also a North Fl resident. Howdy neighbor!

    27 . Apr . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Awesome! Let me know what you think!

      01 . May . 2018
  3. Jennifer Sybert

    This is so easy and delicious!!! My favorite kind of recipe! Thank you so much!

    14 . May . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Thank you Jennifer! Glad you enjoyed it!

      15 . May . 2018
  4. Rebecca

    Hello! Do you have any vegan alternatives to the beef you would recommend? Lentils, quinoa, baked crumbled tofu??

    13 . Jun . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Good question. I don’t cook with tofu very much so I can’t comment on that. But I think lentils or even finely chopped portobello mushrooms would work great! I wouldn’t substitute quinoa just because there is already a grain (rice).

      13 . Jun . 2018
  5. Connie

    This looks great! Do you think it would freeze well (uncooked except for the ground beef)?

    17 . Jun . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hi Connie. Great question. I think it would freeze well – undercook the rice a bit but prepare everything else according to the directions. Freeze in an airtight container. Then, when you’re ready to eat, I would let the casserole thaw completely, stir in a little chicken broth if it’s dry, then add the cheese. Bake as directed. Let me know if you try it!

      17 . Jun . 2018
  6. Marilyn

    I just made this for dinner tonight and it is a keeper!! It is better than my regular stuffed pepper recipe and so much easier. I wouldn’t change anything, bc I don’t believe it could be any better!!
    THANK YOU!!!!!!!!’

    22 . Jun . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Thank you! I am so glad you liked it!

      23 . Jun . 2018
  7. Cindy

    Fabulous! Hubby likes bell peppers as a flavoring ingredient, but a traditional stuffed bell pepper half? He says, “that’s way too much pepper!” Can’t wait to try this. I think we’ll all love it!

    23 . Jun . 2018
  8. OneCaringMom

    I love stuffed peppers so I can not wait to try this! Casseroles are the best. It seems that we are always trying to save hard core – some months it works so much better than others – so this recipe will fit perfectly for our budget!

    01 . Jul . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I’m so glad it will work for you! Enjoy!

      02 . Jul . 2018
  9. Tess

    Trying this tonight. However, a few questions. Diced tomatoes drained or undrained? Baked covered or uncovered? I’m gonna go with my gut but I think these details would be a worthy inclusion to the instructions! Thanks for the recipe 🙂

    21 . Jul . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Sure – good questions. I drain the tomatoes and bake uncovered. Hope you enjoy!

      21 . Jul . 2018
  10. Kala

    This was a huge hit at our house! Delicious! Thank you!

    28 . Jul . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Thank YOU! Glad you enjoyed!

      30 . Jul . 2018
  11. Cheri

    I made this for dinner. My kids went nuts and ate almost the whole pan. Thank you!

    29 . Jul . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I am so glad you all liked it! Thank you for sharing!

      30 . Jul . 2018
  12. Annemarie

    Yummm!!! I love a good stuffed pepper but days like today I didn’t have the time to babysit something in a skillet. This is in the oven right now, we are excited to try it. It smelt so good as it was being prepped!

    13 . Aug . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hope you enjoyed it!

      22 . Aug . 2018
  13. Celie

    I made it last night to share with dad and took the rest to church. Everyone, myself included, really enjoyed a tasty lunch. Thank you for a great recipe.

    22 . Aug . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      So glad you all enjoyed it, Celie!

      28 . Aug . 2018
  14. Molly Boone

    If I wanted to use brown rice instead, would I follow the same recipe or would I have to tweak it a bit?

    03 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I would undercook the brown rice just a smidge (2-3 minutes) so it doesn’t get mushy when you bake it. Hope it turns out great!

      03 . Sep . 2018
  15. Paula

    Made this for dinner tonight, I am usually not a fan of stuffed peppers but loved this! I did make one change. I used a can and a half of rotel in place of the diced tomato. I will be making,this again!

    05 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Love the substitution! Yum!

      06 . Sep . 2018
  16. KjB100

    I usually make whole stuffed peppers. I have to cut them up to put in hubby’s lunch. So this is a perfect recipe! Made it today and it was yummy!!!

    06 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Perfect! So glad you liked it!

      06 . Sep . 2018
  17. Sandie.

    Oh my how fantastic!!! I was able to find a great use for my plethora of tomatoes. I also used spanish rice cooked in chicken broth, and I used some sofrita sauce instead of all tomato paste. Its awesome! Thanks for the recipe.

    08 . Sep . 2018
  18. Barbara

    Such an easier way of fixing stuffed peppers, all you need is a fork! Very good recipe, its a keeper for sure.

    09 . Sep . 2018
  19. Melissa

    Do you think cauliflower rice would work or get too mushy. I am trying to cut down on carbs

    10 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I can’t say for sure because I haven’t tried it BUT I would recommend using frozen cauliflower rice (personally I think it seems to have less water in it). I would microwave it about a minute less than it calls for, remove excess liquid then mix it in. Let me know how it turns out for you!

      10 . Sep . 2018
  20. Mollie

    Do you have a slow cooker version of this?

    17 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I do not at this time. Sorry!

      18 . Sep . 2018
  21. Suzanne

    Just tried this for dinner tonight and it was delicious! Both my roommate and I really liked it.

    P.S. I’m also a North Florida girl and Go Gators!

    17 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yay I’m so glad you guys liked it! And go Gators!

      18 . Sep . 2018
  22. Kerry Sponberg

    Made this last night and it was delicious! I used red peppers for a sweeter and spicy taste. It was even better tonight for leftovers. Thanks for a quick and easy but most important tasty dinner!

    19 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yay! So glad you liked it! Red peppers sound delish!

      19 . Sep . 2018
  23. Misty

    Do you drain the hamburger grease?

    19 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      I use a lean ground beef so I do not. But yes, I would drain if there is a lot of grease. Thanks for the question. I will update the recipe.

      19 . Sep . 2018
  24. Terry A Wolford

    How much rice is 1 cup cooked. I want to use instant rice.

    21 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hi Terry! Generally, one cup of uncooked rice will yield 3 cups cooked. I recommend making 1.5 cups of instant rice.

      21 . Sep . 2018
  25. Alexandra

    Stumbled upon your recipe, and I must say it looks delicious. Quick question though. What can I substitute the rice with? Someone in my family is pre-diabetic

    P.S Go Gators!!

    26 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hi! Glad you stopped by 😉 some readers have used cauliflower rice in this recipe – could be worth a try!

      27 . Sep . 2018
  26. Jane

    so you add about 3 cups of cooked rice ?

    27 . Sep . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yes

      27 . Sep . 2018
  27. Rosanne Maranto Levenson

    I make my stuffed peppers with Italian sausage instead of ground beef. Will try the casserole with the same

    09 . Oct . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      sounds fantastic!

      11 . Oct . 2018
  28. Stacey Burd

    Are you not supposed to drain the grease from the hamburger?

    05 . Nov . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yes, if there is a lot of grease you should drain it.

      05 . Nov . 2018
  29. Vicki Johnson

    My husband doesn’t eat red meat, so I used ground turkey to make the casserole. It was very tasty and reheated really well.

    07 . Dec . 2018
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yay! Sounds yummy!

      07 . Dec . 2018
  30. Sheila

    Made this for dinner the other night and the whole family LOVED it! It was even better than expected and the left overs were just as good

    13 . Dec . 2018
  31. Carrie

    Just made this for dinner! It was fantastic

    15 . Jan . 2019
    • Kelsey Renee

      I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s definitely a keeper!

      16 . Jan . 2019
  32. Kathleen.

    Has anyone tried making it in the morning and leaving in the refrigerator until dinner?

    24 . Mar . 2019
    • Kelsey Renee

      Hey Kathleen, I think that will work fine. If you’re worried about the rice getting soggy, prepare the meat and pepper mixture and keep in a separate container from the rice. Then when you’re ready for dinner, combine the meat mixture & rice, spread in a casserole dish, top with cheese and bake.

      24 . Mar . 2019
  33. Dessie

    I made this a couple nights ago the night before and put in fridge, (put it all in a casserole dish) heated up the next night and it was so good… Instead of using rice I used cauliflower rice which was amazing…

    07 . Apr . 2019
  34. Trinity

    Would this be okay to prepare according to directions- leave in the fridge and bake about 2 or so hours later?

    24 . Apr . 2019
    • Kelsey Renee

      Yep! That should work just fine!

      24 . Apr . 2019
  35. Mary

    Hi Kelsey, I just found out that I am diabetic and when I was searching for quick and easy diabetic meal recipes this came up in the recipes. I love stuffed peppers so does my boyfriend who is going to suffer and eat what I do since I do the cooking so I am looking for recipes that will fit both my sick body and his taste buds.

    19 . Jul . 2019
  36. Marci Covington

    I made this for dinner tonight and it was delicious. I found it a little dry and that may be because I used ground Sirloin. When I make it next, I’ll not drain the Tomatoes and that should make a difference.

    Thank you for inspiring me to branch outside my comfort zone. My husband appreciates you as well.

    25 . Jul . 2019
  37. Miranda

    I’ve made this a few times and my husband and I always love it. We add sliced mushrooms to it and it is so good! I ate a similar version of this growing up but it was always way more liquidy and I never really liked it. This is so flavorful and delicious!

    31 . Aug . 2019
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    06 . Sep . 2019
  39. Lauren

    Would this be good with red or orange bell peppers instead?

    31 . Oct . 2019
    • Kelsey Renee

      Absolutely. Red bell peppers are just mature green peppers believe it or not. They’ll work perfectly.

      01 . Nov . 2019
  40. Kim

    Made this tonight. It was a huge hit with my family. I loved that it was easier than actual stuffed peppers but tasted just as good. Thank you for sharing!

    19 . Nov . 2019

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