These are individual cheesy beef and bell pepper casseroles — savory seasoned ground beef loaded with colorful bell peppers and topped with bubbly melted cheese. They’re a fun, portion-controlled, high-protein meal that’s easy to make ahead.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Bright, colorful bell peppers with juicy beef and gooey cheese
- Very high protein and very low carb
- Individual foil pans make serving and meal prep easy
- One-pan skillet + bake recipe
- Customizable and family-friendly
Ingredients (Makes 4–6 mini casseroles)
- 2 lbs (900g) lean ground beef
- 3–4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, green), sliced or diced
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- 2–3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tbsp taco or fajita seasoning (sugar-free) or Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp smoked paprika + ½ tsp cumin (optional for extra flavor)
- Salt & black pepper to taste
- 2–3 cups (200–300g) shredded mozzarella or Mexican blend cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil or butter
- Optional: ¼ cup sugar-free salsa or hot sauce for moisture
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Cook ground beef until browned, breaking it up well. Drain excess fat if needed.
- Add sliced onion, bell peppers, garlic, seasoning, paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook 5–7 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp and beef is fully cooked.
- Divide the mixture evenly into 4–6 small foil pans (or one large dish). Top generously with shredded cheese.
- Bake 10–15 minutes until cheese is melted, bubbly, and lightly golden. Broil for 1–2 minutes for extra browning if desired.
Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 20–25 minutes Total Time: 30–35 minutes
Nutrition (Per Serving, 1/5)
- Calories: ~390
- Protein: 40g (very high)
- Total Carbs: 8g
- Net Carbs: 6g
- Fat: 23g
