Description
Spicy Mexican-inspired “Taco Stuffed Peppers” bring zesty flavors from classic street tacos right to your dinner table. Colorful bell peppers filled with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh garnishes promise a delightful meal you’ll savor with each delicious bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), halved and seeds removed
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (10 oz) can diced tomatoes with green chilies (like Rotel), drained
- 1 cup frozen corn (or canned, drained)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Optional Toppings:
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Pepper Preparation: Warm the oven to 375F (190C). Position bell pepper halves facing upward in a 9×13-inch baking vessel, lightly seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Meat Foundation: In a large skillet, brown ground beef over medium heat, crumbling while cooking. Eliminate excess fat, then introduce diced onions and garlic, sautéing until aromatic and translucent.
- Flavor Fusion: Integrate taco seasoning, cooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn into the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly, allowing ingredients to meld and develop robust flavors for 3-4 minutes.
- Stuffing Process: Generously fill each pepper half with the seasoned meat combination, ensuring even distribution. Lavishly sprinkle shredded cheese across the surface of each stuffed pepper.
- Baking Technique: Shield the baking dish with aluminum foil, roasting for 25 minutes. Uncover and continue baking an additional 10-15 minutes until cheese melts completely and peppers reach desired tenderness.
- Finishing Touch: Embellish with fresh cilantro, dollop of sour cream, or zesty salsa. Serve immediately while flavors remain vibrant and cheese stays gooey.
Notes
- Choose bell peppers with flat bottoms to ensure stable and even cooking in the baking dish.
- Drain beef thoroughly to prevent watery filling and ensure a rich, concentrated flavor profile.
- Use a mix of cheeses like cheddar and monterey jack for enhanced melting and deeper taste complexity.
- Swap ground beef with plant-based crumbles or black beans for vegetarian version, maintaining the same robust taco-inspired seasoning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 6 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg