This is freezer meal planning at its best. This is the perfect food for the nights when I want to eat homemade cooking, but I don’t actually want to spend time cooking.
Spicy Italian Stuffed Bell Peppers are one of my husband’s favorite meals. Every time I make them, I double or triple the recipe to ensure that I’ll have plenty of leftovers. I freeze the filling and I stuff peppers with it later.
Make Ahead Tip: If I don’t want to turn the oven on to bake the peppers, then I put together this skillet. I actually prefer this skillet to the original stuffed peppers.
If you have the filling mixture in the freezer, all you’ll need to do is saute the peppers and onions and then add (1) recipe’s worth of the filling mixture to the skillet.
Spicy Italian Bell Pepper and Onion Skillet
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup uncooked long grain white rice
- 1 cup water
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 4 bell peppers I used 3 red peppers and 1 green pepper, roughly chopped into 1" pieces
- 2 medium yellow onions roughly chopped into 1" pieces
- 1 lb ground beef
- 8 oz canned black olives roughly chopped
- 12 oz canned mushrooms roughly chopped
- 1 1/2 cups of spaghetti sauce use your favorite homemade or canned variety
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon granulated garlic garlic powder is fine
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon fresh black pepper
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the rice and the water in a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Cover and simmer on low heat for 20 minutes. When the rice is done, uncover and fluff with a fork.
- While the rice is cooking, heat the olive oil in a very large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and saute for a few minutes and then add the peppers. Cook until tender and still crisp. Transfer to a plate or bowl and set aside next to the stove.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, crumbling the meat as it cooks. until browned. Add the olives, mushrooms, spaghetti sauce, Worcestershire sauce, granulated garlic, onion powder, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer over medium heat.
- Add the pepper mixture back to the skillet along with the cooked rice. Stir to combine. Enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Mention @barefeetkitchen or tag #barefeetkitchen!
Apron Appeal says
Stuffed peppers are one of my husband's favorite meals too. I always freeze extras but I never thought to warm it up in the skillet! Thanks
Jenn says
Perfect idea… a deconstructed stuffed pepper! Love it!
Erin Smith, Editor says
It looks like the filling alone could make a meal. I'm bookmarking this recipe now. Thanks!
The Slow Roasted Italian says
This looks very yummy!!! I love stuffed peppers in the skillet!
Bo says
Sure sound easier than stuffing peppers.
no spring chicken says
Your recipe sounds wonderful. I LOVE stuffed bell peppers… alas, my husband (and children) does not! I feel like I'm having a duh moment. Freeze the filling. Then when I make them a meatloaf I can pop a pepper in for me! Thanks!!
Blessings, Debbie
Emily of The Best of this Life says
Yummy! Looks so tasty!
Pam says
It looks hearty and delicious!
Beth says
This looks amazing. I'll be bookmarking it to make (and freeze) later!
Sinful Sundays says
Perfect weeknight meal. That looks so filling and delicious! 🙂
sweetcarolinescooking.com says
This looks so hearty and delicious! I must make this soon. 🙂
Tina @ MOMS CRAZY COOKING says
Hi Mary (it's Tina from Secret Recipe Club). Just wanted to see if you are getting my emails! I emailed out assignments and have NOT heard back from you! So thought I'd check with you here! Please respond to email / confirm and let me know, so I can make sure you are in for September reveal (Sept 19th)! Thanks a bunch! ([email protected])
Miriam says
Peppers and onions are like best friends, they go so well together in so many things. Well done :), Miriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters
Dzoli says
Yes filled pepers..I grew up with thsoe.We fill them with mixture of rice,mince ,onion,garlic and spices.Tomatoe sauce and in the oven.Your variaty is ncie too.We use to say this is the only meal we could have two days in the raw:))
Sweet And Crumby says
Looks so hearty, filling and delicious! This seems like such a great freezer storing meal to have ready on-hand.
My Journey With Candida says
That would make a very festive dish for the Christmas Holidays. It would make it so easy to make this up ahead of time and when I am busy with getting ready for Christmas… Pull it out of the frezer. Great Idea! Thanks!
Kristen says
I love the unstuffed pepper! It sounds so much easier and every bit as tasty as the work intensive stuffed cousin. I am definitely trying this!
Rosita Vargas says
This sounds wonderful and very tempting, beautiful dish, hugs.
Words Of Deliciousness says
This sounds like something I would love. Yum, onions and bell peppers!
The Blonde Duck says
Now I know what I'm making Sat night!