Name: Cheesy Mexican Stuffed Peppers Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients: 4 large bell peppers; 1 lb lean ground beef; 1 ounce taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade); 1/2 onion, diced; 1 can chopped green chiles (4.5 ounce can); 1/4 cup Red Enchilada Sauce (Medium heat); 2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded

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Introduction

These Cheesy Mexican Stuffed Peppers are a flavorful and satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week. Filled with seasoned ground beef, melted cheese, and a touch of enchilada sauce, they bring a delicious Tex-Mex twist to tender bell peppers.

A close-up of a green bell pepper hollowed out and filled with melted cheese and minced meat, with the cheese melting and dripping over the edges. A woman's hand holds a spoon lifting a scoop of the cheesy meat mixture out of the pepper. The green pepper is placed on a dark tray with some yellow and red bell peppers blurred in the background. The white marbled surface is slightly visible around the tray. The texture of melted cheese looks gooey and stringy, and the meat appears juicy and cooked well. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 large bell peppers
1 lb lean ground beef

1 ounce taco seasoning
1/2 onion, diced

1 can chopped green chiles (4.5 ounces)
1/4 cup red enchilada sauce (medium)

2 cups Mexican blend cheese, shredded

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.
Step 2: In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, cook the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon as it cooks. Drain excess oil if necessary, then return the skillet to heat.

Step 3: Stir in the taco seasoning until the beef is well coated. Add the diced onions and cook until they start to become translucent.
Step 4: When the beef is almost cooked through, stir in the chopped green chiles and enchilada sauce. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 5: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and ribs. Place the hollowed peppers upright on the prepared baking sheet.

Step 6: Stuff each pepper starting with several spoonfuls of the beef mixture, then about half a cup of cheese, followed by more beef filling until nearly full. Top with another 1/2 cup of cheese (or less, depending on pepper size) and replace the pepper tops.
Step 7: Bake for 30-40 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Step 8: Serve immediately, optionally garnished with sour cream and fresh cilantro.

Tips & Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with cooked black beans or lentils seasoned with taco spices.
Add a little chopped jalapeño to the filling for extra heat.
Use different types of cheese, such as Monterey Jack or queso fresco, for varied flavors.

To make cleanup easier, use a roasting pan with a rack or individual baking dishes instead of a foil-lined sheet.

Storage

Store any leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, cover with foil and warm in a 350°F oven until heated through, about 15-20 minutes. Microwave reheating is also possible but may soften the peppers further.

How to Serve

The image shows a green bell pepper hollowed out and filled with a mix of cooked ground meat and cheese. The cheese is melted and drips over the sides of the pepper, forming long stretchy strands as a woman's hand lifts a spoonful from the top. The inside of the pepper is packed with a brown and yellow cheesy mixture, and the surface it is on looks like a dark baking tray. In the background, there are blurred shapes of yellow and red bell peppers, with a white marbled texture underneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare these peppers ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the stuffed peppers and cover them in the fridge for a few hours before baking. Bake them directly from the refrigerator, adding a few extra minutes to the baking time.

What type of bell peppers work best?

Large bell peppers work best so you have enough room to stuff a generous filling. Red, yellow, or orange peppers tend to be sweeter, while green peppers offer a more traditional flavor.