Instant Pot Deconstructed Casserole–deconstructed stuffed peppers have rice, ground beef, cheese, peppers and more. You’re going to love how easy it is to enjoy “stuffed peppers” without all the work.

Instant Pot Deconstructed Casserole
If you’re a fan of stuffed peppers you’re going to love this easy casserole form of stuffed bell peppers. It’s all made in one pot and takes away a lot of the work of making stuffed peppers. It’s got all the same amazing flavors and you’re going to love this cheesy dish that’s made with easy-to-find ingredients. The bonus is that the leftovers almost taste better than the first day!
Ingredients/Substitution Ideas
- Lean ground beef–or ground turkey
- Minced dehydrated onions–or 1 cup chopped fresh onion
- Garlic powder
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- Italian seasoning
- Beef or chicken broth–or water and Better than Bouillon
- Converted rice–or white rice
- Worcestershire sauce
- Green bell peppers–or red bell peppers
- Marinara sauce–or 3 (8 oz) cans of tomato sauce
- Shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Shredded mozzarella cheese
Steps
Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onions, garlic powder, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Brown for about 5 minutes. Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.

Sprinkle in the rice. Dump Worcestershire and green peppers on top. Don’t stir.

Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.

Stir in the marinara sauce and the cheddar cheese. Place lid on top and let it sit on warm for 10 minutes.

Remove lid and sprinkle the mozzarella on top. Scoop onto plates and enjoy!

Notes/Tips
- Serve with a green salad and garlic bread.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container* in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
- Try using a different color of bell pepper like red, yellow or orange. It’s fun and colorful to use one green pepper and one red pepper!
- This recipe can be gluten-free if you use gluten-free worcestershire sauce and marinara sauce.
- What is converted/parboiled rice? Don’t confuse converted rice (or sometimes it is called parboiled rice) with pre-cooked or minute rice. Parboiled rice has been processed in its husk by soaking, steaming, and drying. As a result, all the nutrients from the husk are absorbed into the grain before it’s removed. The starch content alters in the process, making cooked parboiled rice less sticky than regular white rice. The rice kernels aren’t clumpy and glued together instead they are more separated. I found a bag of parboiled rice at Walmart next to the normal long grain white rice. Sometimes I buy it at Winco in the bulk section. I have also found it in the orange box (Ben’s brand) next to other rices.
- Other recipes you can make with converted rice are Instant Pot Sunshine Chicken and Instant Pot Smoky Mountain Casserole.
Equipment Used
- I used my 6 quart Instant Pot*. You can also make this in a 3 or 8 quart pot.
- Use a hamburger chopper tool* to break up ground beef.
- Saute paddle*
- I love these knives* for any kind slicing or chopping.
- Cutting boards* that don’t slide around.
- My favorite measuring cups* and measuring spoons*.
- Cheese grater*


Instant Pot Deconstructed Casserole
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (plus 5 minute NPR)
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
Description
Deconstructed stuffed peppers have rice, ground beef, cheese, peppers and more. You’re going to love how easy it is to enjoy “stuffed peppers” without all the work.
Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 Tbsp minced dehydrated onions
- 2 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 1/4 cups beef or chicken broth
- 1 cup uncooked converted or white rice
- 1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
- 2 green bell peppers, cored and cut into half inch pieces
- 1 (24 oz) can marinara sauce
- 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Turn Instant Pot to saute setting. When display says HOT add in the beef and break it up. Add in the onions, garlic powder, salt, pepper and Italian seasoning. Brown for about 5 minutes.
- Pour in the broth and scrape bottom of pot so that nothing is sticking. Turn off Instant Pot.
- Sprinkle in the rice. Dump Worcestershire and green peppers on top. Don’t stir.
- Cover Instant Pot and secure the lid. Make sure valve is set to sealing. Set manual/pressure cook button to 5 minutes. When time is up let pot sit for 5 minutes and then move valve to venting. Remove the lid.
- Stir in the marinara sauce and the cheddar cheese. Place lid on top and let it sit on warm for 10 minutes.
- Remove lid and sprinkle the mozzarella on top. Scoop onto plates and enjoy!
- Category: Beef
- Method: Instant Pot
More Instant Pot Recipes with Bell Peppers…
Instant Pot/Slow Cooker Mexican Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers are stuffed with brown rice, black beans and salsa and cooked perfectly in your electric pressure cooker or your crockpot. You can make them vegetarian or with meat, it’s up to you. Top with a dollop of sour cream and enjoy this healthy weeknight dinner.
Instant Pot Sweet and Sour Chicken
Tender bites of chicken, sweet pineapple chunks and colorful bell peppers served with a sweet and sour sauce. All made in one pot, your Instant Pot.
Instant Pot Christmas Confetti Pasta
Shrimp and pasta with red and green pops of color from bell peppers. A fast dump and go pressure cooker recipe!
Instant Pot Cajun Chicken Pasta
Pasta with chunks of chicken, bites of andouille sausage, bell peppers, creamy sauce and cajun seasoning.
Instant Pot Midwest Pepper Steak
Shredded flank steak in a sweet and savory sauce with green and red bell peppers.
Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Peppers
Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Peppers–bell peppers stuffed with taco seasoned ground beef, cheese, salsa and sour cream (only 6 ingredients). A delicious summer dinner that is low carb and low cal! Pin this recipe for later! Note: the SLOW COOKER instructions are listed in the recipe card below Instant Pot Taco Stuffed Peppers I’ve been
Did you know you can filter the recipes on my website to search by meat type, IP or Crockpot, low carb, gluten free, etc.? Use the filter to find exactly what you are looking for.
*Karen Petersen is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
This got rave reviews in my house, but…the rice didn’t cook through at 5 minutes. I had to reseal and cook an additional 5 minutes. Definitely will make again with longer cooking time and maybe an additional pepper.
★★★★
Thanks for sharing your experience!
Karen:
This is JIm Bob — When you say “stuffed green peppers”, dinner bells start ringing in mt head. This is my favorite go to, quick and EASY instant pot meal. Thank you for all your recipes,
★★★★★
You’re welcome Jim Bob!
We made the deconstructed stuffed bell pepper recipe. It was so flavorful and delicious! The ingredients were on hand and the recipe was easy to prepare. As we have it for leftovers we have added garlic in the mix and topped with extra cheddar and Parmesan. This will be another meal added to the rotation. It’s a winner.
★★★★★
Thank you Dale! I am so glad to hear it!
Made this tonight and my husband loved it, said it was definitely a “keeper”…so much easier than stuffing peppers which end being cut up and eaten anyway! Thanks so much Karen!
★★★★★
Yes I agree Janice!!
Sounds delicious. Hoping to try soon. I noticed nothing is said about draining the grease from the ground beef before adding the broth. Do you leave the grease in?
Because I used a lean ground beef (90/10) I did not drain any of the grease. But you can definitely drain it if you want!
Karen, am on my way to the freezer right now to dig out some hamburger so I can make this tomorrow! Read the recipe to my hubby & he put his order in immediately. Been doing your Stuffed Bell Pepper Soup all the time (the neighbors beg me to make it for them, ha) but this is going to take it to a whole new level!! Be back with stars. Just want you to know you ROCK OUR CULINARY WORLD at this house!
Haha Kim! If you love the soup you’ll love this too! Both are tasty!
Yes, they ARE!! And so easy to make. We just had this one for dinner and it was so yummy. Thanks again for another winner!!
★★★★★
Oh Karen, I know this will be delicious, I do one with cabbage but bake it. Will definitely be trying this in the instant pot! Thanks for all your great recipes and for sharing!!!😉
★★★★★
Love that idea of the cabbage!
Looks delicious. How about doing something like this but instead of stuffed peppers the recipe is stuffed cabbage?
Hey, Sigrid! She already did one & it’s totally delicious!
https://www.365daysofcrockpot.com/instant-pot-lazy-stuffed-cabbage/
P.S. use Karen’s search filter, it’s great, she has sooooo many wonderful recipes