This dish takes everything people love about classic stuffed peppers—savory meat, tender rice, sweet bell peppers, and rich tomato sauce—and turns it into a hearty, no-fuss baked pasta. The best part? Everything cooks together in one dish, so you skip boiling pasta or rice separately.
🛒 Ingredients
Main:
- 8 oz elbow macaroni (or small shells), uncooked
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey)
- 1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
- 1 (24 oz) jar marinara or tomato sauce, divided
- 2 bell peppers, finely diced
- 2 cups water or beef broth
- Salt & pepper to taste
Optional (but highly recommended):
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella (for topping)
🔪 Instructions
1. Preheat & Prep
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C)
- Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
2. Brown the Meat
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned
- Drain excess grease
- Stir in salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika
3. Build the Dish (No Pre-Cooking Needed)
In the baking dish, combine:
- Uncooked pasta
- Uncooked rice
- Cooked beef
- Diced bell peppers
- ~2 cups water or broth
- About ⅔ of the sauce
Mix thoroughly so the rice is evenly spread (this matters more than you think).
4. Top & Cover
- Spread remaining sauce over the top
- Cover tightly with foil
5. Bake
- Bake covered for 35 minutes
6. Stir & Finish
- Remove foil and stir well (this prevents uneven rice)
- Add cheese if using
- Bake uncovered for 10–15 minutes, until bubbly
✅ How to Know It’s Done
- Rice is tender (not crunchy)
- Pasta is soft
- Most liquid is absorbed
- Top is bubbling (and golden if cheesy)
🍽️ Pro Tips (The Difference Between “Okay” and Amazing)
- Rice is the tricky part → it needs enough liquid to cook properly
- If it looks dry halfway through, add ½ cup more liquid
- Cut peppers small so they soften fully
- Let it rest 5–10 minutes after baking—it thickens and sets
💡 Easy Variations
- Add diced onions for a more classic stuffed pepper flavor
- Swap beef for turkey or sausage
- Use instant rice → reduce liquid slightly + shorten bake time ~10 minutes
- Add a splash of Worcestershire sauce for deeper, richer flavor