Ingredients
Meat and Vegetables
- ¾ pound ground beef
- 2 cups chopped bell peppers
- ½ medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
Spices and Seasonings
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon dried oregano
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- ¼ teaspoon cumin
Liquids and Others
- 2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
- 1 cup tomato salsa
- 1 cup long-grain white rice, rinsed
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook the beef: In a large skillet over medium-high heat, crumble and cook the ground beef until it begins to brown, ensuring it breaks up evenly.
- Sauté vegetables: Add the chopped bell peppers and onion to the beef, cooking for about 5 minutes while stirring often until the vegetables are crisp-tender.
- Add seasoning: Stir in the minced garlic, salt, dried oregano, pepper, and cumin, then cook for 1 minute to release the aromas of the spices.
- Deglaze and add liquids: Pour in the chicken broth and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits from the skillet bottom. Then stir in the tomato salsa to combine.
- Add rice: After rinsing the rice well under cold water and draining, add it to the skillet and mix thoroughly to incorporate all ingredients.
- Simmer: Bring the mixture to a simmer, then cover the skillet and reduce the heat to medium-low. Let it simmer gently for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the rice is fully cooked and has absorbed the liquid.
- Finish with cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella evenly over the casserole, cover the skillet again, and allow the cheese to melt completely before serving.
Notes
- Rinsing the rice removes excess starch and helps prevent the casserole from becoming gluggy.
- Using low-sodium broth keeps the sodium content moderate, but you can adjust salt to taste.
- Feel free to substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner variation.
- Bell peppers can be a mix of colors for more visual appeal and flavor complexity.
- Covering during simmering is key to cooking the rice evenly and helping flavors meld.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the beef and use vegetable broth with additional beans or lentils.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Casserole
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
