Description
Mexican-inspired taco stuffed peppers blend zesty ground beef, melted cheese, and fresh bell peppers into a flavor-packed meal. Diners will enjoy this protein-rich dish that combines classic taco seasoning with colorful vegetables for a delightful dinner experience.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar or monterey jack cheese
- 4 large bell peppers (any color), halved and seeds removed
- 1 cup cooked white or brown rice
- 1 small onion, diced
- 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)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 (1 oz) packet taco seasoning or homemade taco seasoning
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Chopped cilantro
- Sliced jalapenos
- Sour cream
- Salsa
- Diced avocado
Instructions
- Preparation: Ignite the oven to 375°F (190°C). Cleave bell peppers lengthwise, evicting seeds and membranes. Nestle peppers cut-side up in a 9×13-inch baking vessel, delicately seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Meat Mastery: Sizzle olive oil in a capacious skillet over medium flame. Pulverize ground beef into the pan, browning until no rosy hues remain. Expel excess lipids completely.
- Flavor Fusion: Integrate diced onions, minced garlic, taco seasoning, cooked rice, black beans, diced tomatoes, and corn into the skillet. Choreograph ingredients into a harmonious blend, allowing flavors to waltz and intertwine for 3-4 minutes.
- Assembly Artistry: Lavishly crown each pepper half with the robust beef and vegetable symphony. Cascade shredded cheese across the surface, creating a molten blanket of deliciousness.
- Culinary Transformation: Drape the baking dish with aluminum foil, then orchestrate in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes. Unveil during the final 10-15 minutes to achieve a golden cheese crust and fork-tender peppers.
- Finale: Extricate from the oven and pause briefly. Adorn with fresh cilantro, a cloud of sour cream, or a splash of zesty salsa. Present immediately while radiating warmth and temptation.
Notes
- Optimize Pepper Preparation: Blanch peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes before stuffing to ensure softer, more tender texture and reduced baking time.
- Manage Moisture Control: Drain canned beans and tomatoes completely to prevent watery filling and soggy pepper bottoms during baking.
- Customize Protein Options: Swap ground beef with ground turkey, chicken, or plant-based crumbles for lighter protein alternatives that match dietary preferences.
- Enhance Flavor Depth: Toast taco seasoning in the skillet for 30 seconds before adding meat to intensify spice profile and develop richer, more complex taste notes.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg