Share a Spoon - Stuffed Pepper Casserole

 

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Share a Spoon
GROUND BEEF

This week's theme takes me back to my child hood.  We ate so many meals growing up that included ground beef.  My mom didn't use ground turkey or sausage for anything I can remember.  It was always ground beef.  She put it in spaghetti, casseroles, soups, burgers, etc.
One of my favorite things she made growing up was something she called Spanish Rice.  Really it's more like Stuffed Peppers without actually stuffing the peppers.  It's a simple dish with big flavor and takes me right back to childhood.  It's comfort food for me, if you will.
Stuffed Pepper Casserole
1 large sweet onion3 green bell peppers1 clove grated garlic or 1 tsp. ground garlic powder1 lb. ground beef1 28oz can Tomato Puree or Crushed tomatoes2 cups Sharp Cheddar Cheeserice
In a small sauce pan bring two cups of water to a boil.  Add 1 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon olive oil and 1 cup of long grain rice.  Cover and reduce to low for 20 minutes.
In a large oven proof heavy bottom pot heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat.  Saute chopped onion with salt and pepper.

Add garlic and chopped green peppers.  Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the ground beef and season with salt and pepper.  Cook the ground beef over medium heat until well browned.  Roughly 5-7 minutes.

Stir in the cooked rice.

Add the tomato puree.

Stir in 1 cup of the cheese.  Allow the cheese to melt.
Top with the other cup of cheese.

Bake uncovered in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned.

That's it.  We were really excited about having this dish this week.  All those peppers came out of my garden this week.  They were amazing!  I have bell peppers coming out of the garden every other day or so.  This was a great recipe to use them in!
Alright Smackers, it's your turn to share your favorite ground beef recipes!