Description
These Taco Stuffed Mini Peppers are a delicious and colorful appetizer or snack, perfect for taco lovers who want a low-carb, flavorful bite. Sweet mini peppers are halved and filled with seasoned ground beef, salsa, and melted cheddar cheese, then baked until bubbly. Garnished with fresh cilantro or green onions and served alongside sour cream and extra salsa, they’re an easy, crowd-pleasing dish that comes together in just 30 minutes.
Ingredients
Peppers
- 1 lb sweet mini peppers
Filling
- 1 lb ground beef
- 2 tablespoons taco seasoning
- 3 tablespoons salsa
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese (divided)
Toppings and Garnish
- Cilantro or green onion, chopped (for garnish)
- Sour cream (for serving)
- Extra salsa (optional, for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare the peppers: Slice the sweet mini peppers in half lengthwise and carefully scoop out the seeds, creating little boats. Arrange them cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper if you haven't done so already for easy cleanup.
- Cook the beef: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground beef. Cook, stirring and breaking it apart, until fully browned and no longer pink. Sprinkle the taco seasoning over the cooked beef and stir in the salsa, making sure the meat is well coated. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed, keeping in mind some taco seasonings already contain salt.
- Mix cheese and stuff: Stir half a cup of shredded cheese into the beef mixture for added creaminess. Use a spoon to carefully fill each mini pepper half with the seasoned beef mixture.
- Bake: Top each stuffed pepper with the remaining shredded cheese. Bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven and sprinkle chopped cilantro or green onions on top for freshness. Serve warm with sour cream and additional salsa on the side, if desired.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner option.
- Adjust the amount of taco seasoning based on your spice preference.
- For a vegetarian version, replace ground beef with cooked black beans or lentils.
- Mini peppers can be found in a variety of colors—use a mix to make the dish visually appealing.
- Make sure to remove all seeds from the mini peppers to avoid bitterness.
- These can be made ahead and reheated; just add fresh sour cream before serving.
