Ingredients
- 1 lb ground beef
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 2–3 bell peppers (red, green, yellow), chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 1–1½ cups shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Optional: parsley or chopped green onions for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and sauté onion and chopped peppers for 5–7 minutes until softened.
- Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Stir in ground beef and cook until browned, draining excess fat.
- Mix in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, Worcestershire sauce, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Simmer 5–10 minutes.
- Stir cooked rice into the beef mixture, then spread evenly in the baking dish.
- Sprinkle shredded cheese over the top and cover with foil.
- Bake covered for 20 minutes, then uncover and bake another 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Let rest 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with parsley or green onions if desired.
Notes
- Use cooked rice for even baking and texture.
- Drain beef mixture well to prevent soggy casserole.
- Add beans or corn for added texture or nutrition.
- Substitute turkey or chicken for beef for a leaner option, or use pepper jack cheese for more heat.
- Assemble ahead and refrigerate—add extra bake time if baking from cold.
- Prep Time: 15–20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of casserole
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 11g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 23g
- Cholesterol: 65mg
