Description
This Easy Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe features sweet mini peppers filled with a savory mixture of ground meat and melted cheese, seasoned with garlic and onion powders, then baked to perfection. Ideal as a flavorful appetizer or light meal, it’s quick to prepare and deliciously satisfying.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 12 mini sweet peppers
Meat
- 1 pound ground turkey or ground beef
Dairy
- 4 ounces cream cheese or cheddar cheese, softened
Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
Garnish
- 2 tablespoons fresh herbs (parsley or cilantro), chopped
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking tray with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Peppers: Slice each mini sweet pepper in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds. Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on the prepared baking tray.
- Cook Meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground turkey or beef. Cook the meat until browned and fully cooked, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat from the skillet.
- Season Meat: Stir the garlic powder and onion powder into the cooked meat, mixing thoroughly to distribute the flavors evenly.
- Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the softened cream cheese or cheddar cheese. Stir until the cheese melts and the mixture is creamy and well combined.
- Stuff Peppers: Generously spoon the meat and cheese mixture into each pepper half, filling them completely.
- Bake: Place the baking tray in the preheated oven and bake the stuffed peppers for about 20 minutes, or until the edges of the peppers are charred slightly and the filling is bubbly and hot.
- Garnish and Serve: Remove the stuffed peppers from the oven and sprinkle chopped fresh herbs such as parsley or cilantro over the top before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground chicken or beef depending on preference.
- For a spicier version, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped jalapeños to the meat mixture.
- If you want a vegetarian option, replace meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based ground substitute.
- Make sure to remove seeds from the peppers to avoid bitterness and to create space for the stuffing.
- The recipe can be prepared ahead by assembling the peppers and refrigerating before baking.
