Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 40-50 minutes

Materials:

• 3 cups of rice
• 2 lbs ground meat of your choice (i used pork and chicken)
• 1 cup tomato sauce 
• ⅓ cup tomato paste
• 1 tsp sugar
• Salt/ pepper to taste
• 1 onion chopped
• 3-4 cloves of garlic diced
• 3 stalks celery cut into half moons
• 2 small bell peppers chopped
• 2 carrots shredded
• ⅓ -½ cup mozzarella cheese
• 1 tbsp paprika
• 1 tbsp dried oregano
• 2-3 tbsp. Vegetable oil

Process:

1. Cook the rice according to package instructions and set aside.
2. In a mixing bowl add in the tomato sauce, tomato puree, sugar, salt and pepper. Mix well and set aside.
3. In a large skillet with high sides add in the vegetable oil.
4. Keeping the heat on medium/ high add in the onion and cook 4-5 minutes stirring often.
5. Add in the garlic and cook for about 60 seconds.
6. Add in the celery, carrots and peppers.
7. Season with salt, pepper, paprika and oregano. Mix well to combine and cook for a few minutes to allow the veggies to soften.
8. Add in the ground meat. Break the meat up and cook for 6-8 minutes stirring often until the meat is fully cooked through.
9. Add in half of the tomato sauce mixture and mix well.
10. Cook for a few minutes and set aside.
11. Preheat the oven to 380 degrees.
12. Butter a casserole dish generously. Add in half of the rice into the casserole dish.
13. Pour the meat mixture over the rice and even off.
14. Top with the remaining rice and pour the remaining tomato sauce over the rice.
15. Top with desired amount of cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes.
16. Let sit for a few minutes, plate and ENJOY!