Introduction
This creamy steak and cheese casserole is a comforting dish perfect for any night of the week. Packed with tender beef, sautéed bell peppers, and a luscious cream cheese sauce, it’s a family favorite that comes together quickly. You can customize it with vegetables and spices to suit your taste, making it adaptable for various cravings.
Detailed Ingredients with measures
1 lb thinly sliced steak or ground beef
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 medium onion, sliced into strips
4 oz cream cheese
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
½ tsp black pepper
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1½ cups shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese
Olive oil for cooking
Optional Add-ins:
Sliced mushrooms
Banana peppers
Hot sauce
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time, Total Time, Yield
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yield: Serves 4-6
Directions
1. Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Cook the Meat: In a large skillet, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the steak slices or ground beef and cook until browned and just cooked through. Drain excess fat if necessary.
3. Sauté the Vegetables: Push the meat to one side of the skillet or remove it temporarily. Add a bit more olive oil if needed, then add the sliced bell peppers and onion. Sauté until softened and slightly caramelized, about 7–10 minutes. Season with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce.
4. Combine with Cream Cheese: Return the meat to the skillet if removed. Lower the heat and add the cream cheese, stirring until it melts and combines with the meat and vegetables into a creamy mixture.
5. Assemble the Casserole: Transfer the mixture to a 9×13-inch baking dish. Sprinkle the shredded cheese evenly over the top.
6. Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, with edges starting to turn golden.
7. Serve: Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy as is for a low-carb meal. Serve with a side salad or roasted vegetables. For a traditional touch, serve with crusty bread or over cooked pasta.
Storage
Refrigerate leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warmed through.
Detailed Directions and Instructions
Preheat the Oven
Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) to preheat while you prepare the other ingredients.
Cook the Meat
In a large skillet, drizzle some olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the thinly sliced steak or ground beef. Cook the meat until it is browned and just cooked through, which should take about 5-7 minutes. If there is any excess fat, drain it from the skillet.
Sauté the Vegetables
Once the meat is cooked, push it to one side of the skillet or temporarily remove it from the skillet. If necessary, add a bit more olive oil. Then add the sliced green and red bell peppers, along with the sliced onion. Sauté the vegetables until they are softened and slightly caramelized, which will take about 7–10 minutes. Season the mixture with garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and Worcestershire sauce while it cooks.
Combine with Cream Cheese
If you removed the meat earlier, return it to the skillet now. Reduce the heat to low and add the cream cheese. Stir the mixture together until the cream cheese is melted and has fully combined with the meat and vegetables, resulting in a creamy consistency.
Assemble the Casserole
Transfer the creamy meat and vegetable mixture into a 9×13-inch baking dish. Evenly sprinkle the shredded provolone or mozzarella cheese on top.
Bake
Place the baking dish in the preheated oven. Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the edges have started to turn golden.
Serve
Allow the casserole to cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
You can enjoy this dish as is for a low-carb meal, serve it alongside a fresh side salad or roasted vegetables. If you prefer a traditional touch, consider serving it with crusty bread or over cooked pasta.
Storage
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, use the oven or microwave to warm thoroughly before serving again.
Cook techniques
Stir-Frying
Stir-frying is a method of cooking that involves quickly cooking food in a small amount of oil over high heat. This technique is ideal for the steak and vegetables in this recipe, allowing for quick cooking and maintaining the texture and flavor of each ingredient.
Sauteing
Sauteing involves cooking food quickly in a small amount of oil or fat over medium-high heat. This technique is used for the vegetables in the recipe, helping to create a slightly caramelized surface while keeping them tender.
Melting
Melting refers to the process of heating an ingredient (such as cream cheese) until it becomes liquid or semi-liquid. In this recipe, melting the cream cheese combines it seamlessly with the meat and vegetables, resulting in a creamy filling.
Baking
Baking involves cooking food by surrounding it with dry heat in an oven. This recipe uses baking to melt and bubble the cheese on top of the casserole, creating a delicious golden crust.
Assembling a Casserole
Assembling involves combining various cooked ingredients in a single dish to be baked together. In this recipe, the meat and vegetables mixture is transferred to a baking dish and topped with cheese before baking.
FAQ
Can I use another type of cheese?
Yes, you can substitute provolone or mozzarella with other cheeses such as cheddar or gouda, depending on your preference.
How can I make this dish spicier?
You can add sliced jalapeños, banana peppers, or a drizzle of hot sauce to increase the spice level in the dish.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the meat and vegetable mixture in advance and store it in the refrigerator. Just bake it just before serving.
What is the best way to reheat leftovers?
The best way to reheat leftovers is in the oven at a low temperature until warmed through. You can also use a microwave for quick reheating.
Is this dish suitable for freezing?
Yes, this casserole can be frozen. Allow it to cool completely before freezing in an airtight container. To reheat, thaw in the refrigerator and then bake until heated through.
Conclusion
This delicious steak and cream cheese casserole is a delightful blend of flavors and textures. With the tender meat, sautéed bell peppers, and a creamy cheese topping, it’s sure to satisfy your cravings. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with sides, this dish brings comfort and taste to any meal.
Cheesy Beef and Mushroom Bake
Add sliced mushrooms to the meat and vegetable mix for an earthy flavor that complements the cream cheese and cheese blend.
Spicy Pepper Beef Casserole
Incorporate banana peppers or a dash of hot sauce for a spicy kick that enhances the overall flavor profile.
Vegetable-Loaded Casserole
Include additional vegetables like zucchini or spinach to add more nutrients and color to the dish without altering the base flavors.
Stuffed Bell Peppers
Use the mixture to stuff halved bell peppers, then bake until the peppers are tender for a fun twist on presentation.
Italian Style Beef Bake
Mix in Italian seasoning and substitute the provolone with mozzarella for a different flavor profile reminiscent of classic Italian dishes.
