Colored bell peppers take center stage in this easy casserole that features the comforting flavors of chili and cheese. Make it easy by using your favorite canned chili and shredded cheese, and garnish with your favorites like avocado and salsa.
Sometimes dinner is the result of serendipity, like today, when I scored a bag of marked-down colored bell peppers.
I could stuff them, I could roast them, I could eat them with dip…but I wanted dinner, and I needed something super easy and with virtually no hands-on time. So I used them in place of tortillas in my favorite no-brainer casserole. This cut down a bit on carbs, as well, so bonus points.
How to make 3-Ingredient Chili Cheese Peppers Casserole
Place first layer of peppers in the prepared dish. You’ll use 2 peppers.
Dollop on prepared chili.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Put second layer of peppers on (again, use 2 peppers).
Dollop on the rest of the chili.
Sprinkle with cheese.
Put on the final layer of peppers, and finish with the rest of the cheese. This is not rocket science, I know, but I’ll bet you’ve never had it before!
Behold, I present 3-Ingredient Chili Cheese Peppers Casserole. It’s a bit like a lasagna in its layers…get ready for comfort food with a nod at being healthier!
Colored bell peppers take center stage in this easy casserole that features the comforting flavors of chili and cheese. Make it easy by using your favorite canned chili, and garnish with your favorites like avocado and salsa.
Ingredients
- 6 colored bell peppers (red, orange, yellow preferred)
- 1 (15- to 16-ounce) can prepared chili (I used Stagg's Leap Turkey Ranchero)
- 4-5 ounces (1 cup) shredded Mexican-style 4-cheese blend
- Penzeys No-Salt Salsa & Pico Seasoning (optional)
- Garnishes: Chopped avocado, a dollop of sour cream, prepared salsa or pico de gallo
Directions
- Heat oven to 375F degrees. Spray an 8- by 8-inch square baking dish with nonstick spray and set aside.
- Prepare the peppers: Slice the top stem and bottom off each pepper, leaving the large middle area. Slice once vertically and spread out the pepper into a long strip. Bend/break the peppers to make them lay flat, much like you would do for a book if you wanted it to lay flat. Do this with all 6 peppers.
- Assemble casserole: Cover the bottom of the prepared dish with a layer of peppers, using 2 peppers. Spoon on half the chili. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the cheese. Repeat with another layer just like that, with 2 peppers, the rest of the chili and half the remaining cheese. Repeat with a final layer of 2 peppers and the rest of the cheese. Sprinkle the seasoning (if you are using), or if you don't have it, you can sprinkle with cumin and oregano. It's OK, you can also omit the seasoning.
- Bake for 45 minutes. The top layer will likely curl up a bit, but don't be too concerned. It will settle down when you take it out of the oven.
- Remove from oven, allow to cool for 10-15 minutes, and serve. Add garnishes as you wish.
- Serves 4.
Notes
Recipe source: Dorothy Reinhold | Shockingly Delicious
If you like this recipe and want to save it, pin the image below to your Pinterest board.
May I introduce you to one of my favorite no-salt seasonings? I use it in this recipe.
Penzey’s Salsa and Pico, which I put on anything that has a remotely Mexican flair. It consists of shallots, cumin, garlic, black pepper, Mexican oregano, paprika, cilantro, jalapeno pepper and chipotle pepper. It’s not crazy hot despite the several varieties of peppers, but seriously flavorful, and a few sprinkles of that turns a chopped tomato or avocado into a party!
Thanks for visiting…are you hungry for more? Follow Shockingly Delicious on…
FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
…for all the latest recipes, ideas and updates!
This post may contain affiliate/referral links. It is a way for this site to earn advertising fees (at no cost to you) by advertising or linking to certain products and/or services that I approve and prefer.
{ 25 comments… read them below or add one }
Next Comments →
These sound delicious! Dangerously good…
Such an amazing idea! I cant wait to give it a try!
What a great idea! It’s like a far-out lasagna!
Jeff,
It sort of IS!
Made it and it was a huge hit with everyone. Not one bite left in the pan. 🙂
Valentina,
Thank you so much for telling me! I’m so happy your family enjoyed it. 🙂
Dorothy, I’m all over this one! BOTH of my boys will love it! (A miracle because they typically have opposite taste!) Love how easy and healthy it is. This will be our Thursday night dinner when my dad comes over. 🙂
This will be a sure hit for dinner!!
This looks amazingly delicious!!
I love how easy this is! I have to make it on a busy weeknight!
Love this low carb version! Healthy, flavorful and delicious!
This looks like such a great dinner option! I love that it’s lower carb
Peppers and beans are so good together! I should make this ASAP! I know I will love it!
This is a fabulous idea Dorothy, and I’m totally making it this week. I love everything about it!!
Susan,
Thanks! It was really good! Such simple things…so delicious.
OMG, this look insanely delicious! I’d love to try this awesome recipe!
Even though I love my carbs, this sounds delicious!
Karen,
I love my carbs too Karen, but they are not loving me back. Or perhaps they are loving me a little too much!
WOW! you can’t get much easier than this! and packed full of flavor
Wow and wow, this is so delicious and it makes my mouth watering
I absolutely love bell peppers! This recipe is so simple and I love that it’s a tasty low carb option!
Made this tonight and my husband and I LOVED it!!! I’m looking forward to having more for my lunch again this week. So far it’s one of my favorites of your recipes! Thank you so much for all of your recipes!
Chrissie,
I am SO GLAD you liked it! Thanks for trying it and coming back to tell me!
This looks like a new favorite dinner in my house! So delish!
This is such a great low carb twist on a classic! Perfect for keeping those new years resolutions.