Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 pound lean ground beef
- 2 green bell peppers, chopped
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 4 teaspoons oregano, divided
- 1 ¼ teaspoon salt, divided
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- ½ cup long grain white rice, uncooked
- 15 ounce canned diced tomatoes
- ½ cup water
Toppings
- ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
Instructions
- Cook the beef and vegetables: Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the ground beef, chopped green bell peppers, onion, minced garlic, 3 teaspoons oregano, 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the beef is fully browned and the vegetables are tender, about 7-10 minutes.
- Add tomato paste and combine: Stir in the tomato paste and cook for another 2-3 minutes until well incorporated and fragrant, enhancing the depth of flavor in the mixture.
- Add remaining ingredients and simmer: Add the uncooked rice, canned diced tomatoes, the remaining 1 teaspoon oregano and ¼ teaspoon salt, along with ½ cup water. Stir everything together thoroughly. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer gently for 45 minutes, allowing the rice to cook and soak up the flavors.
- Rest and fluff: After cooking, remove the pot from heat but keep it covered. Let it rest for 5-10 minutes to finish steaming. Then fluff the rice gently with a fork to separate the grains and evenly distribute the ingredients.
- Serve and garnish: Spoon the unstuffed pepper mixture into bowls and top each serving with shredded cheddar cheese and a sprinkle of fresh chopped parsley for a bright, creamy finish. Serve warm and enjoy.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner version.
- For a gluten-free meal, ensure your tomato paste and canned tomatoes do not contain added gluten ingredients.
- If you prefer spicier flavors, add a pinch of red pepper flakes during cooking.
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated for up to 3 days and can be reheated in the microwave.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with plant-based meat alternatives or additional vegetables like mushrooms and zucchini.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Halal
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: 380 kcal
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 610 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg
