Description

This Stuffed Pepper Pasta recipe combines the comforting flavors of classic stuffed peppers with a hearty pasta dish. Ground beef, sautéed bell peppers, and onions are simmered in a savory pasta sauce seasoned with Italian herbs and spices, then tossed with tender bowtie pasta for a flavorful, easy weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale

Vegetables and Aromatics

3 bell peppers, diced
½ yellow onion, diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic

Meat

1 pound ground beef

Pantry Ingredients and Seasonings

1 tablespoon olive oil
24 ounces pasta sauce
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion powder
Salt and black pepper to taste
4 cups bowtie pasta

Instructions

Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the bowtie pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Sauté peppers and onions: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced bell peppers and yellow onions, stirring occasionally until the vegetables start to soften and develop a light brown color around the edges, about 5-7 minutes.
Cook the ground beef and season: Add the ground beef to the skillet with the sautéed vegetables. Cook until no pink remains, breaking the meat apart with a spoon. Drain excess grease, then stir in the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
Add seasonings and sauce: Sprinkle Italian seasoning, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper over the meat mixture. Pour in the pasta sauce and stir well to combine. Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer gently for about 5-10 minutes to meld the flavors.
Combine pasta and sauce: Add the cooked bowtie pasta directly into the skillet with the meat and sauce mixture. Stir thoroughly to ensure the pasta is evenly coated with sauce and ingredients are well combined.
Serve: Once heated through, serve the stuffed pepper pasta warm. Enjoy this comforting dish as a hearty lunch or dinner.

Notes

You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the meat and add extra mushrooms or lentils.
Use gluten-free pasta if you require a gluten-free meal.
Adjust seasoning levels to your taste, especially salt and pepper.
Leftovers store well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and can be reheated on the stovetop or microwave.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian-American

Keywords: stuffed pepper pasta, ground beef pasta, bell pepper pasta, Italian pasta recipe, easy weeknight dinner