Description
A flavorful and comforting stuffed pepper casserole combining Italian sausage, bell peppers, rice, and melted mozzarella cheese, simmered together for a hearty one-pan meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- ¾ pound ground Italian sausage mild or spicy (375g)
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- ½ medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (finely minced)
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- 1 cup long-grain white rice (rinsed)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the Sausage: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the sausage until it begins to brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even cooking.
- Add Vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers and finely chopped onion to the skillet. Cook for about 5 minutes, stirring often, until the vegetables become crisp-tender.
- Season and Sauté: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, black pepper, and cumin. Cook everything together for 1 minute to release the aromas of the spices.
- Add Liquids and Deglaze: Pour in the low-sodium chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up and loosen any browned bits stuck to the bottom of the pan. This adds rich flavor to the dish. Stir in the tomato salsa thoroughly.
- Add Rice: Rinse the long-grain white rice well under cold water, drain, and add it to the skillet. Stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Simmer the Casserole: Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Then cover the skillet, reduce the heat to medium-low, and cook for 20 minutes until the rice is tender and fully cooked.
- Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top of the casserole. Cover the skillet again and let it sit for a few minutes so the cheese can melt before serving.
Notes
- This updated version adds onion, garlic, oregano, and cumin for extra flavor, but you can omit these to make the original simpler version.
- If you prefer a spicier dish, use spicy Italian sausage or add a pinch of red chili flakes.
- Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and helps achieve separate grains.
- For a lower sodium option, ensure the chicken broth and salsa are labeled low sodium.
- You can substitute mozzarella with cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese for a different cheese flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450 kcal
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 25 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 25 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
