Unstuffed Pepper Casserole

2 green peppers, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ cup onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon butter or olive oil
½ teaspoon sea salt or to taste
¼ teaspoon black pepper or to taste
½ teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 cups cooked brown rice
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups tomato sauce
optional: 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1. Heat oven to 350ºF.
2. Saute peppers, onion, and garlic in butter in a skillet until softened, about 5 minutes. Pour into a bowl and let cool a few minutes. Add rice, meat, oregano, parsley, salt and pepper and combine well.
3. Spoon into a 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray. It can be a little lumpy. Pour tomato sauce over all and sprinkle with grated cheese if desired.
4. Bake for one hour. Serve hot.