Description
With vibrant bell peppers, seasoned ground beef, and a cheesy topping, this casserole is a comforting, one-dish meal bursting with flavor and effortless to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1 lb lean ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 3 large bell peppers (red, green, or yellow), diced
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can diced tomatoes, undrained
- 1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
- 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1⁄4 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until the onion becomes translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
3. Add the lean ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned and fully cooked through, approximately 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat.
4. Stir in the diced bell peppers and cook for an additional 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
5. Add the cooked rice, diced tomatoes with their juice, tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and black pepper. Stir well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
6. Allow the mixture to simmer on low heat for 10 minutes to let the flavors meld together. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and stir in 1 cup of the mozzarella cheese.
8. Transfer the mixture into a greased 9×13 inch baking dish, spreading it evenly.
9. Sprinkle the top with the remaining 1 cup of mozzarella cheese and 1 cup of cheddar cheese.
10. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.
11. After 20 minutes, remove the foil and bake an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown slightly.
12. Remove the casserole from the oven and allow it to sit for about 5 minutes before serving.
13. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley if desired.
Notes
You can substitute ground beef with ground turkey or chicken for a lighter version.
For extra heat, consider adding 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes.
Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Try mixing in other vegetables such as corn or zucchini for added nutrition.
This dish pairs well with a simple side salad or garlic bread to complement the flavors.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 85mg