Cheesy Ground Beef and Pepper Casserole

Cheesy Ground Beef and Pepper Casserole 

Ingredients:

• 500 g (1 lb) ground beef
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 green bell pepper, sliced
• 1 red or yellow bell pepper, sliced
• 1 cup tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• ½ teaspoon cumin (optional)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese (optional, for extra richness)

 Instructions:

1. Prepare the base:
   • Heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat.
   • Add the chopped onion and cook until soft.
   • Add the garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
2. Cook the beef:
   • Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.
   • Season with salt, black pepper, paprika, and cumin.
3. Add sauce and vegetables:
   • Pour in the tomato sauce and mix well.
   • Add the sliced bell peppers and let everything cook together for 5–7 minutes.
4. Assemble:
   • Transfer the mixture into small foil baking dishes (like in the picture) or one large baking dish.
   • Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella and cheddar evenly on top.
5. Bake:
   • Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
   • Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden on top.

 Tips:

• You can add cooked pasta or boiled potatoes to make it more filling
• For extra flavor, add Italian seasoning or dried oregano
• You can substitute ground beef with ground chicken or turkey

 Serving:

Serve hot straight from the oven with bread or a fresh salad.