Stuffed Pepper Pasta 🌶️🍝All the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers—savory meat, sweet peppers, tomato sauce, and melted cheese—come together in an easy pasta dish that’s perfect for a weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rigatoni, or rotini work well)
- 1 lb ground beef or Italian sausage (or turkey)
- 1 onion, diced
- 2–3 bell peppers, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14–15 oz) diced tomatoes
- 1 jar (24 oz) marinara sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- ½ tsp paprika (optional)
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions
- Cook the pasta
Boil pasta until just shy of al dente. Reserve about ½ cup pasta water, then drain. - Brown the meat
In a large skillet, cook ground beef or sausage until browned. Drain excess fat if needed. - Cook the vegetables
Add onion and bell peppers. Cook for 5–7 minutes until softened. Stir in garlic and cook for another 30 seconds. - Make the sauce
Add diced tomatoes, marinara sauce, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes. - Combine everything
Stir in the cooked pasta. Add a splash of pasta water if the sauce needs loosening. - Add cheese
Sprinkle mozzarella and Parmesan over the top. Cover until melted, or transfer to a baking dish and bake at 375°F (190°C) for about 15 minutes for a casserole-style finish.
Easy Variations
- 🥩 Use Italian sausage for extra flavor
- đź«‘ Add extra bell peppers or mushrooms
- 🌱 Make it vegetarian with beans or lentils instead of meat
- 🧀 Add ricotta for a creamier “stuffed pepper” taste
A cozy, cheesy dinner that gives you the flavor of stuffed peppers without the work of stuffing them.
