Meal Prep Unstuffed Pepper Bowls (Print-Friendly Format)
Savor colorful bowls of ground beef, peppers, rice, and cheese—ideal for meal prep lunches or easy dinners.
# Required Ingredients:
→ Base
01 -
225 grams uncooked rice (long-grain or jasmine), rinsed
02 -
About 475 milliliters water or stock, for cooking rice
→ Protein
03 -
450 grams 85% lean ground beef or ground turkey
→ Vegetables
04 -
2 green bell peppers, finely diced
05 -
1 red bell pepper, finely diced
06 -
1/2 medium onion, finely diced
07 -
4 garlic cloves, minced
08 -
1 small zucchini, quartered and sliced (optional)
→ Sauce and Seasoning
09 -
225 milliliters tomato sauce (from 1 can, about 225 grams), unsalted
10 -
410 grams diced tomatoes, drained of excess liquid
11 -
45 milliliters Worcestershire sauce
12 -
5 milliliters fine sea salt, plus more to taste
13 -
5 milliliters freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
→ Topping
14 -
75 grams shredded mozzarella or pepper jack cheese
# How to Make It:
01 -
Cook the rice in water or stock according to package instructions until tender. Set aside and keep warm.
02 -
Heat a large non-stick skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add ground beef with 5 milliliters each salt and pepper. Break up the meat and cook for 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until just cooked through.
03 -
Add diced green and red bell peppers and onion to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until starting to soften. Stir in minced garlic and zucchini, cooking an additional 2 minutes.
04 -
Pour in tomato sauce, diced tomatoes, and Worcestershire sauce. Season with another pinch each of salt and pepper if desired. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally.
05 -
For immediate serving, top with shredded cheese and cover for 90 seconds to melt. For meal prep, distribute around 100 grams cooked rice into containers, followed by portions of the pepper-beef mixture, and finish each with a sprinkle of cheese. Store in refrigerator up to four days or freeze for up to three months.
# Additional Information:
01 -
Zucchini may be omitted to reduce portion size or for personal preference; fresh vegetables add volume and nutrients.
02 -
Optimal for batch cooking; prepared bowls reheat well for make-ahead lunches.