Spicy Beef & Bell Pepper Casserole with Cheddar

By AislePrompt Test Kitchen · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-04-02 · Updated 2026-04-02

A hearty, protein-packed casserole with lean ground beef, colorful bell peppers, and a melty cheddar crust, perfect for weeknight dinners. This american-inspired keto ready in about 45 minutes pairs Ground beef (lean), medium Red bell pepper, medium Green bell pepper for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 450 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Ingredients

• 1 lb Ground beef (lean)
• 1 medium Red bell pepper
• 1 medium Green bell pepper
• 1/2 cup Diced tomatoes
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup Heavy cream
• 1 tsp Cumin
• 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp Onion powder
• 1 tbsp Olive oil

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Dice bell peppers into 1/4-inch pieces, then heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat until hot. Add peppers and cook for 6-7 minutes until softened but still crisp-tender.
2. Step 2: Add ground beef to the skillet, breaking it apart with a spoon, and cook for 8 minutes until browned; drain excess fat. Stir in diced tomatoes, cumin, cayenne, and onion powder, then cook for 2 minutes until flavors meld.
3. Step 3: Whisk heavy cream and 1/2 cup cheddar in a bowl until smooth, then pour over the beef mixture. Stir until evenly distributed and the sauce thickens slightly.
4. Step 4: Transfer to a greased 8x8-inch baking dish, top with remaining 1/2 cup cheddar, and bake uncovered for 22-25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.