Description
Enjoy the delightful combination of pasta, veggies, and ground beef in this Easy Stuffed Pepper Pasta Bake. Simple to prepare, it’s a heartwarming meal perfect for busy nights. The blend of melted cheese and flavorful ingredients ensures every bite is satisfying and delicious, making it a must-try for anyone looking for quick, homemade comfort food.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz uncooked rotini pasta
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small yellow onion diced
- 1 green bell pepper roughly chopped
- 1 orange bell pepper roughly chopped
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 14.5 oz can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, undrained
- ½ cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp italian seasoning
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 cup monterey jack cheese shredded
- optional: fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F and lightly grease a 9×13-inch casserole dish. Set aside.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and bell peppers, cover, and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened.
- Stir in the tomato paste and minced garlic. Cover and cook for 1–2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add the ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart as it cooks. Cover and cook for 7–10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain excess grease.
- Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning, and stir well.
- Pour in the tomato sauce and fire-roasted tomatoes. Stir again and let simmer for 3–5 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the greased casserole dish and sprinkle with shredded cheese.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Broil for 30 seconds to 1 minute to lightly brown the top. Monitor closely to avoid burning.
- Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes. Garnish with parsley if desired, then serve.
Notes
Feel free to substitute ground turkey for a leaner option.
You can add more vegetables like zucchini or mushrooms for added nutrition.
This dish is great for leftovers and can be frozen for future meals.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 455
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 22g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
