🌶️🧀 Stuffed Pepper Pasta Casserole
Everything you love about stuffed peppers—savory beef, sweet peppers, and rich tomato sauce—baked into a cheesy, comforting pasta casserole.
🛒 Ingredients:
- 10–12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or ziti)
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1½ cups tomato sauce or marinara
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt (adjust to taste)
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1–1½ cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional add-ins:
- Cooked rice (½–1 cup for a true stuffed pepper feel)
- Chili flakes for heat
- Fresh parsley or basil
👩🍳 Instructions:
1. Cook pasta
Boil pasta in salted water until just al dente.
Drain and set aside.
2. Cook the filling
In a large skillet, heat olive oil.
Cook ground beef until browned.
Add onion and bell peppers. Cook 4–5 minutes until softened.
Stir in garlic and cook briefly.
3. Build sauce
Add diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Simmer for 5–10 minutes until slightly thickened.
4. Combine
Add cooked pasta (and optional rice) to the meat sauce.
Mix well.
5. Assemble casserole
Transfer mixture to a greased baking dish.
Top with mozzarella, cheddar, and Parmesan.
6. Bake
Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20–25 minutes, until:
- Cheese is melted and bubbly
- Top is lightly golden
7. Rest & serve
Let sit for 5–10 minutes before serving.
🍽️ Serve with:
- Garlic bread
- Green salad
- Roasted vegetables
🔥 Flavor profile:
- 🌶️ Sweet, tender bell peppers
- 🥩 Savory, hearty beef
- 🍅 Rich tomato base
- 🧀 Gooey, melty cheese topping
- 🍝 Comforting baked pasta texture
🔄 Variations:
- 🧀 Extra cheesy baked version
- 🌶️ Spicy stuffed pepper casserole
- 🥦 Add veggies like zucchini or mushrooms
- 🍗 Swap beef for chicken or turkey
- 🥣 Creamy version with a little cream cheese mixed in
💡 Tips:
- Slightly undercook pasta—it finishes in the oven
- Use a mix of bell pepper colors for flavor and color
- Let it rest before serving so it holds together
- Add cheese in layers for extra gooeyness