Description
A quick and easy one-pan skillet meal featuring lean ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and savory tomato sauce, finished with melted mozzarella cheese. This dish is perfect for busy weeknights and provides steady energy without the crash.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb lean ground beef (85/5 or 85/15)
- 3 large bell peppers (mixed colors), chopped into 1-inch chunks
- 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 can (14.5 oz) crushed tomatoes
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Optional: Fresh basil leaves or grated Parmesan for garnish
Instructions
- Prep vegetables by washing, deseeding, and chopping bell peppers into 1-inch chunks. Dice the onion and mince the garlic.
- Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add ground beef and break into small crumbles with a wooden spoon. Cook for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink. Drain excess grease if desired, then season with salt and pepper.
- Push beef to one side or remove temporarily. Add diced onions to the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly.
- Mix onions and garlic back into the beef. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato paste, and beef broth. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning and stir to combine.
- Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook uncovered for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, to allow flavors to meld and sauce to thicken.
- Add chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Stir to coat in the sauce. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes until peppers are tender-crisp.
- Turn off the heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top. Cover for 1-2 minutes to melt the cheese.
- Garnish with fresh basil if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
Do not overcrowd the pan when browning beef to ensure proper searing. Taste the sauce after adding tomatoes and adjust seasoning with salt or a pinch of sugar if needed. Add garlic late in the process to prevent burning. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 4 days. For freezing, freeze the mixture without cheese and add fresh cheese upon reheating.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian-American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Approximately 1.5 to
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 7
- Sodium: 650
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 12
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: beef unstuffed peppers, one pan dinner, quick weeknight meals, ground beef recipes, healthy skillet meals, meal prep friendly