This is one of our favorite meals and it’s so easy to come together. Our kids call it “pizza casserole” because it does have the flavor of pizza!

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (or turkey or italian sausage)

1 cup rice of choice, cooked (could use microwave kind to cut time. I use my instantpot and brown rice. We’ve also used steamable cauliflower rice before, too)

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (or cheese blend like colby jack)

1 15oz can of tomato sauce

2 bell peppers, cut into strips (can use green or any color)

1 small onion, cut into small slices (we’ve omitted before and done a 3rd pepper no problem)

Seasonings – dashes of garlic, italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. measure with your heart

Preparation

In a large skillet that can be transferred to the oven (if you don’t have this – use skillet you have and use the lid at the end- will explain), brown ground beef with garlic and italian seasoning

While meat is browning, cook rice of choice

Transfer beef mixture to a plate and place sliced onions and peppers in skillet (remove some grease if needed- but not too much- that way veggies don’t stick)

Cook onions and peppers on medium-low until soft, about five minutes or so

Transfer cooked onions and peppers to plate on top of cooked beef

Place cooked rice in skillet, then add tomato sauce, cooked peppers/onions, and ground beef. Stir to combine

Top mixture with shredded cheese, allowing to cook on low a few minutes

Stick skillet in oven on broil for JUST A MINUTE OR TWO to let cheese melt (or put lid on your skillet and stay cooking on low until melted)

Serve portions with a simple salad!