Easy Oven-Baked Stuffed Pepper Pasta (Just 5 Ingredients!)

This comforting five-ingredient pasta bake is the kind of warm, hearty dish someone might bring over when you’re not feeling your best. Inspired by classic stuffed peppers—with ground beef, green peppers, tomato, rice, and melted cheese—it transforms those familiar flavors into an easy oven-baked meal that’s perfect for sharing or saving as leftovers.

Everything bakes together in one dish until tender, then gets finished with a layer of cheese that melts into a bubbly, golden topping.

Serve it fresh from the oven alongside a crisp green salad with a simple dressing to balance the richness. It also pairs well with garlic bread or a crusty loaf for scooping up every bite. Leftovers reheat easily and go nicely with extra vegetables like broccoli or green beans.

Oven-Baked 5-Ingredient Stuffed Pepper Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb lean ground beef
• 2 large green bell peppers, chopped
• 3 cups uncooked short pasta (rotini, penne, or shells)
• 1 1/2 cups uncooked white rice
• 1 jar (24–26 oz) tomato pasta sauce
• 4 cups water
• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 tsp kosher salt (adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• Nonstick spray or oil (for greasing)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C) and lightly grease a deep baking dish.
In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the ground beef, season with salt and pepper, and cook until browned. Drain any excess fat.
In a large bowl, mix the uncooked pasta, rice, and chopped green peppers. Add the cooked beef, tomato sauce, and water, then stir until well combined.
Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish. Cover tightly with foil and bake for 45–55 minutes, until the pasta and rice are tender.
Remove the foil, sprinkle mozzarella evenly over the top, and return to the oven. Bake uncovered for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and lightly golden.
Let it rest for about 10 minutes before serving so the sauce can thicken.
Serve warm, scooping generous portions of this cheesy, hearty, comforting bake.