There is just something about a big, hearty bowl of stew that makes everything feel a little cozier! My Crockpot Unstuffed Pepper Stew takes all the delicious flavors of traditional stuffed bell peppers and turns them into an easy, comforting meal that practically cooks itself. We're talking tender bell peppers, savory ground beef, fire-roasted tomatoes, perfectly seasoned broth, and fluffy rice, all simmered together in the crockpot. Finish it off with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped basil, and you've got a wonderful dinner the whole family will love!
I absolutely love stuffed bell peppers, but sometimes I just don't feel like going through the trouble of stuffing each individual pepper. That's where this recipe comes in! You get all those familiar flavors without any of the extra work. Everything goes straight into the crockpot, making this a fantastic option for busy weeknights or those days when you want something homemade without spending hours in the kitchen.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the combination of four different bell peppers. We're using red, green, yellow, and orange, which give this stew beautiful color and a wonderful balance of sweetness and savory flavor. The crushed tomatoes create a rich base, while the fire-roasted diced tomatoes add a little extra depth. And don't skip the Worcestershire sauce and Better Than Bouillon! They really help develop that delicious, beefy flavor.
Ingredients
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 orange bell pepper, diced
1 yellow onion, diced
1 lb lean ground beef
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 (28 oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes
4 cups beef broth
1 tbsp Better Than Bouillon Beef Base
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1½ tsp Italian seasoning
1 tsp onion powder
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
¾ cup uncooked long-grain rice, rinsed (I use jasmine rice)
½ to 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
12–13 fresh basil leaves, chopped
Directions
Dice the red, green, yellow, and orange bell peppers along with the onion. Add everything to your crockpot.
Add the lean ground beef and minced garlic. Break the ground beef apart into small pieces so it cooks evenly throughout the stew.
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, fire-roasted diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Add the Better Than Bouillon Beef Base and Worcestershire sauce.
Season with the Italian seasoning, onion powder, garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper. Stir everything together until well combined.
Rinse the uncooked jasmine rice under cold water and add it directly to the crockpot. Give everything another good stir to distribute the rice evenly.
Cover and cook on high for approximately 4 hours, or until the ground beef is fully cooked, the vegetables are tender, and the rice is soft.
Once everything is cooked, stir in ½ to 1 cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese and the chopped fresh basil. Mix until the parmesan melts into the stew and the basil is evenly distributed.
Allow the stew to rest for a few minutes before serving. Ladle into bowls, top with a little extra parmesan if desired, and serve hot!
A Cozy, Hearty Dinner Made Easy
What I really love about this Unstuffed Pepper Stew is that it's a complete meal in one bowl. You've got protein from the ground beef, plenty of vegetables from those colorful bell peppers, and rice to make everything nice and filling. There's no need to prepare a bunch of side dishes, although a warm loaf of crusty bread or some buttery garlic toast would be absolutely delicious alongside it.
I personally love using jasmine rice because of its delicate flavor and tender texture. As the stew cooks, the rice absorbs all that wonderful tomato and beef broth, bringing everything together. Keep in mind that the rice will continue to absorb liquid as the stew sits, so leftovers may be a little thicker the next day. If that happens, simply add a splash of beef broth when reheating.
And let's talk about that finishing touch! The freshly grated parmesan adds a savory richness, while the chopped basil brings a wonderful freshness that balances the tomatoes and seasonings. Those two ingredients really take this stew to another level.
This is one of those recipes that tastes like you've spent all afternoon standing over the stove, but the crockpot does the work for you. It's warm, filling, budget-friendly, and full of homemade flavor. Whether you're feeding a hungry family or making enough for leftovers throughout the week, this Crockpot Unstuffed Pepper Stew is a delicious way to bring a little comfort to the dinner table.
One crockpot, simple ingredients, and a big bowl of cozy goodness. It doesn't get much better than that!
