Stuffed Pepper Skillet

I feel like a significant portion of my life as a wife and mom is spent trying to prepare nutritious and affordable meals that my husband and kids will actually eat. Preparing meals takes so much effort because my husband is a picky eater and my kids’ preferences are somewhat mercurial.

If this sounds like your household and/or you like a tasty, easy-to-prepare skillet meal, then you may want to give this one a try.

Ingredients

(Adapted from this recipe.)

• 1 lb. lean ground meat (I used turkey, but beef or Italian sausage would be great)
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups diced bell pepper (use whatever colors you prefer)
• Several dashes salt and black pepper
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes with juices
• 2 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz.) tomato sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
• 1 cup uncooked basmati rice
• 1 ½ cups shredded cheddar cheese or cheddar cheese blend

Instructions

In a skillet over medium-high heat, brown the ground meat with the onions and garlic. Add the bell pepper, salt, and black pepper. Cook for 5-7 more minutes, until the peppers have started to soften. Drain off the fat (if needed).

Reduce the heat to medium and add the diced tomatoes, broth, tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and Italian seasoning. Stir until well combined. Bring the mixture to a boil, then add in the rice. Return to a boil, then cover and reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender, stirring occasionally.

Turn off the heat and sprinkle with the shredded cheese. Allow the cheese to melt before serving. Yield: 5 servings.

Notes

This is a definite keeper because it is an easy-to-prepare, veggie-rich dish that my family will eat! In the interest of full disclosure, my oldest isn’t a huge fan of it, but my husband and two younger kids like it. Of course, it’s a bonus that cleanup is easy because it is prepared in one dish.

It has a good flavor. The ingredients balance one another well so no one of the flavors dominates the dish. There are many things you could do to jazz it up if your family likes more sophisticated flavors, such as adding mushrooms or seasoning it differently.

What yummy meals are you fixing for your family this fall?

Shared at the following:

Encouraging Hearts and Home, Busy Monday, Over the Moon, Farm Fresh Tuesdays, What’s for Dinner? and Weekend Potluck.