Description
This Easy Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe combines sweet, crisp mini peppers with a savory ground meat and melted cheese filling. Quickly browned ground turkey or beef is seasoned with garlic and onion powder, then mixed with creamy cheese before being stuffed into pepper halves and baked until bubbly and slightly charred. Garnished with fresh herbs, this dish makes a flavorful, colorful appetizer or light meal perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 12 mini sweet peppers
Filling
- 1 lb ground turkey or ground beef
- 4 oz cream cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
Garnish
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Set your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare the peppers: Slice each mini sweet pepper in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds, then arrange them cut-side up on the baking tray for easy stuffing.
- Cook the meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat and cook the ground turkey or beef until fully browned, breaking it apart as it cooks. Drain off any excess fat for a leaner filling.
- Season and add cheese: Stir in garlic powder and onion powder into the cooked meat, remove from heat, then fold in the cream cheese or cheddar until it melts and blends evenly.
- Stuff the peppers: Generously spoon the meat and cheese mixture into each pepper half, ensuring they are well filled for a satisfying bite.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are slightly charred and the filling is bubbly hot.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle chopped fresh parsley or cilantro over the peppers for a burst of herbal freshness, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with lean ground beef or even ground chicken depending on preference.
- Cream cheese creates a creamier texture while cheddar adds a sharp flavor; you can also mix both cheeses.
- If you prefer a spicier kick, sprinkle some crushed red pepper flakes into the meat mixture.
- These stuffed peppers can be prepared ahead of time and baked just before serving.
- To keep it dairy-free, omit cheese or use a vegan cheese alternative.
