Description
This Easy Stuffed Mini Peppers recipe features sweet mini peppers filled with a savory blend of ground turkey or beef and creamy cheese, seasoned with garlic and onion powder, then baked to bubbly perfection. Perfect as a flavorful appetizer or light meal, these stuffed peppers are simple to prepare and bursting with fresh herbs.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 12 mini sweet peppers
Filling
- 1/2 pound ground turkey or ground beef
- 1/3 cup cream cheese or shredded cheddar cheese
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish, about 2 tablespoons)
Instructions
- Preheat the 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 the peppers: Slice each mini sweet pepper in half lengthwise and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on the prepared baking tray.
- Cook the meat: Heat a skillet over medium heat and add the ground turkey or beef. Cook until the meat is thoroughly browned and no longer pink, breaking it up as it cooks. Drain excess fat to reduce grease.
- Season and blend: Stir garlic powder and onion powder into the cooked meat. Remove skillet from heat and fold in the cream cheese or shredded cheddar until the mixture is well combined and the cheese has melted into the meat.
- Stuff the peppers: Generously spoon the meat and cheese mixture into each pepper half, filling them evenly and completely.
- Bake: Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes, or until the edges of the peppers are slightly charred and the filling is hot and bubbly.
- Garnish and serve: Remove from the oven, sprinkle freshly chopped parsley or cilantro over the stuffed peppers, and serve warm.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey with ground beef or even ground chicken depending on your preference.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, replace the ground meat with cooked lentils or a plant-based meat alternative.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of chili flakes or chopped jalapeño to the filling.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Using cream cheese will give a creamier filling, while cheddar cheese provides a sharper, more robust flavor.
