Arrabbiata Stuffed Pepper Casserole

This Arrabbiata Stuffed Pepper Casserole is easy and hearty with just the right amount of spice from the Arrabbiata sauce but you can easily swap regular sauce too. Made with mushrooms in place of rice keeps it low carb but every bit as satisfying and delicious! Simply omit the mozzarella to keep it Whole30 and Paleo compatible. If you love this you may also enjoy these Buffalo Chicken Dip Stuffed Peppers!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Arrabbiata Stuffed Pepper Casserole is low carb and bursting with flavor! It's such a fun twist on traditional stuffed peppers and is easy too. Have an abundance of peppers in your garden? Try using them for this delicious casserole that the whole family will love.

Ingredients You Will Need

Peppers: Either Thunderbolt (Marconi) or bell peppers will work for this recipe.

Avocado spray: Is very versatile and has a neutral flavor that can be used for baking, high-heat cooking, sautéing and frying.

Salt and Pepper: Salt enhances and balances flavors, while ground black pepper adds a gentle heat, improving the overall flavor of a dish.

Ground beef: Ground beef works wonders in this casserole, imparting a hearty flavor and juicy texture that perfectly complements the rich, savory notes of the sauce. I like Grass Roots Coop for all my meats!

Arrabbiata Tomato Sauce: Arrabbiata sauce is a spicy sauce that has garlic, red chili peppers and olive oil to create a bold, flavorful sauce.

Mushrooms: Opt for white mushrooms in this recipe as they impart a mild yet earthy flavor to this dish.

Onion: I prefer yellow onion for this recipe as it has a bolder flavor than sweet onions but you can certainly use sweet if you prefer.

Mozzarella: A soft, semi-aged Italian cheese know for its creamy texture and mild flavor.

 Basil: Opt for fresh basil over dried for this dish, as the freshness complements the other rich flavors of the beef and the sauce.

Instructions

Preheat oven: Turn oven to 350˚ to preheat and line a baking pan with parchment.

Place peppers on pan: Arrange the peppers on the pan and spray with avocado oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Bake: Bake till the peppers begin to soften, about 25-30 minutes.

Heat a skillet: Meanwhile, spray skillet with avocado oil and heat pan.

Cook the onions and mushrooms: Add the onions and mushrooms to the heated pan and cook till onions are translucent.

Cook the beef: Add beef to the pan and cook till no longer pink.

Add the sauce: Add your sauce of choice and stir well and remove from heat.

Prepare the casserole dish: Remove the peppers from the pan to an oven proof casserole dish.

Stuff the peppers: Stuff the peppers with the meat mixture.

Add the cheese: Sprinkle with mozzarella, if using. (Omit for Paleo and Whole30 or use dairy free mozzarella).

Bake the casserole: Return to oven for 20-25 minutes.

Garnish: Garnish with basil if desired.

Enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Tricks

Time saver: The beef mixture and the peppers can be cooked ahead of time and kept in a glass covered dish in the refrigerator for a day or two making this an even quicker weeknight meal.

Recipe Variations

Marinara sauce: You can use your favorite jarred sauce in place of the Arrabbiata spicy sauce.

Rice: If you are not concerned with keeping this recipe Paleo or Whole30 friendly you can add some precooked rice to the mixture for an even heartier dish.

Storage Tips

This Arrabbiata Stuffed Pepper Casserole can be stored in the fridge for 4-5 days when placed in a sealed airtight glass container, and it's freezer-safe for up to 6 months.

FAQs About Arrabbiata Stuffed Pepper Casserole

How do you keep the peppers from getting soggy?

When pre-baking be careful not to overcook the peppers, leaving them a bit firm.

How do you know when stuffed peppers are done?

You will know they are done when the peppers are tender and the filling is heated all the way through, typically indicated but the cheese being melted and slightly browned.

What side goes well with stuffed peppers?

A nice green salad or even mashed potatoes are delicious sides.