This recipe for Instant Pot Stuffed Pepper Casserole is a simple, healthy dinner. It will be easy to throw together for a delicious twist on a family classic.
Recipe Origins
To be honest, I wasn’t completely sure if I should call this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole or Stuffed Pepper Stew! It’s kind of a combination or a mixture between the two. Regardless of what it’s called, I know you’re going to love it.
This recipe is a rendition of my popular Instant Pot Stuffed Peppers from Croatia. Instead of all of the ingredients being stuffed directly into the pepper, the peppers are chopped up and mixed with the filling.
You still get the delicious flavor of this Croatian speciality, but in a different (easier to eat?) way!
Why Make this Recipe
- Healthy Recipe: This recipe is made of so many delicious, healthy ingredients that are sure to fuel your body in a wholesome and tasty way.
- Easy to Throw Together: There is a few minutes of active cooking at the beginning of this recipe, but the majority of the cooking takes place in the pressure cooker! Once you add all of the ingredients into the pot, the dish comes together fairly easily and quickly.
What Ingredients Do I Need?
- Meat: Ground beef, ground pork
- Seasonings: Paprika, mint, salt, oregano, garlic,
- Liquids: Chicken (or beef) broth, tomato sauce
- Vegetables: Bell peppers, onion
- Rice: Long grain white rice
- Cheese: Shredded Colby Jack cheese
How to Make this Recipe
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Step 1: Saute
Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE and add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot. Add onion and SAUTE for a few minutes, until translucent.
Add the ground pork and ground beef and saute cook until cooked through, adding more olive oil as necessary.
Step 2: Pressure Cook
Add the rest of the ingredients except Colby Jack Cheese to the pot.
Secure the lid and turn the pressure to HIGH for 6 minutes. When the timer goes off, allow for a 5 minute Natural Pressure release and then perform an Instant Pressure release.
Step 3: Add the Cheese
Add the cheese into the pot, stirring to combine until the cheese melts completely. You can top with more cheese if you so desire. Enjoy!
Expert Tips
- If you want to have some extra flavoring in your meat, you can choose to use flavored sausage instead of simple ground pork
- You can use any kind of melty cheese you have on hand if colby jack isn’t an option!
Recipe FAQs
What Should I Serve with Stuffed Pepper Casserole?
The good thing about this recipe is that it has everything in it to make it a complete meal (complete with protein, carbs, and veggies!).
If you’d like to serve something on the side, good options could be garlic toast or roasted veggies (I’m thinking broccoli is a great choice).
How Long Will Leftovers Last?
The leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 7 days, as long as you keep them in an airtight container. To reheat, simply place the food in a microwave safe bowl and microwave until heated through.
Did you like this Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole? Make sure to check out these other recipes I picked out just for you:
- Fergese: Peppers and Feta Cheese Bake from Algeria
- Ema Datschi: Peppers and Cheese from Bhutan
- Stuffed Bell Peppers from Croatia
- Gyuveche: Casserole with Potatoes and Eggs from Bulgaria
- Authentic Italian Sausage and Peppers
Stuffed Bell Pepper Casserole in the Instant Pot
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- ½ onion, chopped
- ½ lb ground pork
- ½ lb ground beef
- 4 bell peppers, chopped
- ¾ cup long grain white rice
- 1 ⅔ cup chicken broth
- 1 tsp garlic
- 14 oz can tomato sauce
- 2 tsp dried mint
- ½ tsp oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- 2 tsp paprika
- 2 cups colby jack cheese, shredded
Instructions
- Turn the Instant Pot to SAUTE and add 1 tbsp olive oil to the pot. Add onion and SAUTE for a few minutes, until translucent.
- Add the ground pork and ground beef and saute cook until cooked through, adding more olive oil as necessary.
- Add the rest of the ingredients except Colby Jack Cheese to the pot.
- Secure the lid and turn the pressure to HIGH for 6 minutes. When the timer goes off, allow for a 5 minute Natural Pressure release and then perform an Instant Pressure release.
- Add 1.5 cups cheese into the pot, stirring to combine. Then, sprinkle the remaining cheese on top of the rice and put the lid back on for a minute or two to allow the cheese to melt (do not turn the pot on). Enjoy!
Notes
- If you want to have some extra flavoring in your meat, you can choose to use flavored sausage instead of simple ground pork
- You can use any kind of melty cheese you have on hand if colby jack isn’t an option!
Crystal says
I plan to fix this tonight. You give helpful info for a serving, but what do you consider a “serving”? Thanks.
The Foreign Fork says
Hi Crystal, I’m so glad you’re planning to make this recipe! A serving is about 1/6 of the recipe 🙂
Crystal says
After typing that, I see where you state there are six servings. Apparently I wasn’t paying attention! I added Rotel for some spice and ground turkey in place of pork. I’ll try with different variations. We really liked it.
Samantha says
Hi, we love stuffed peppers and my kids just eat the middle so i thought this would be perfect! It just got done and is very pretty watery. Is there anything to do differently?
The Foreign Fork says
Hi Samantha, It definitely should be a chili consistency! If it is waterier than that, you can add more cheese and allow the dish to cool down a little. It will thicken as it cools. Sorry this reply was late but I hope you enjoyed! It’s my favorite when scooped up with tortilla chips 😉
Mishelle says
I really liked the flavors. I used a can of diced tomatoes so I cut down on the chicken broth a little. But my bell peppers were just mush, they blended in with the liquid so much you couldn’t even tell what they were.
Lori Wilson says
So easy to make and extremely flavorful! I didn’t have a large can of tomato sauce so I added a can of diced tomatoes.
The Foreign Fork says
Hurray! So glad you liked it Lori. Thanks for leaving a comment 🙂
Summer says
If I’d like to make this in a slower cooker, would any of the instructions change? Do I need to cook the rice first before adding to the other ingredients? Thank you!
The Foreign Fork says
Hi Summer! Unfortunately, though I am an Instant Pot export, the slow cooker is not my cooking method of choice. In fact, I think I’ve only used my slow cooker a handful of times so far! From what I just researched online though, it looks like most casserole recipes add uncooked rice into the slow cooker and cook it alongside the rest of the ingredients. If you try it, let me know what you think!
JENNIFER WENGER says
Hi, this looks really good but I don’t have dried mint and it’s quite expensive here. Is it imperative for the recipe or can I omit it? Would it make a huge difference in the flavors without? Thanks
The Foreign Fork says
Hi Jennifer,
I personally really enjoy the mint taste, but if you don’t have it and don’t want to purchase it (certainly understandable, especially when it’s expensive!!) then yes, you can just omit it 🙂 I hope you enjoy!