Description
A hearty casserole that marries rich, savory flavors with the comfort of home-cooked favorites, featuring lean ground beef, vibrant veggies, and melted cheese.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 large onion, finely chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 medium carrots, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, diced
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 cup beef broth
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella or Parmesan cheese
- ½ cup breadcrumbs (optional; for a crunchy topping)
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until it’s translucent.
- Stir in the minced garlic, diced carrots, and bell peppers, cooking for an additional 5-7 minutes until tender.
- Push the vegetables to the side of the skillet and add the ground beef. Cook until browned and break it apart, about 5-7 minutes. Drain any excess fat if necessary.
- Stir in the tomato sauce, drained diced tomatoes, and beef broth. Add in Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper, then let it simmer for about 10 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Pour the beef mixture into a casserole dish, topping it with cheese and breadcrumbs, if using.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is nice and bubbly, and golden brown.
- Let it cool for 5-10 minutes before serving.
Notes
Feel free to swap veggies based on what you have or your preferences; zucchini or spinach work great too. Consider adding Italian sausage for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: casserole, beef, Italian, comfort food, family meal, easy dinner