Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe (2024)

Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe is a fun, fancy, makeover of a family favorite … tacos! Stuff bell peppers with a meat mixture and add your favorite toppings! Watch the video!

Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe (1)

Friends, are you looking for an excuse to stop the rush? You know, the holiday or post-holiday rush? Then you’ll love thisTaco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe, because it’s easy, and your family will love it, too.

Table of Contents

What are Mexican Stuffed Peppers Called?

I like to think of Mexican Stuffed Peppers are my easy recipe, Taco Stuffed Peppers. Basically a delicious recipe any time of year, but super fun for Christmas using red and green bell peppers. You may also love my Tasty Taco Mini Stuffed Peppers, the ultimate party appetizer that everyone loves!

How long to cook taco stuffed peppers?

The secret to this recipe is to bake the peppers unstuffed first, then add in the meat mixture.

After you add in the meat mixture to pre-cooked peppers, sprinkle with cheese and broil.

Such an easy recipe!

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How do you make easy stuffed peppers?

  1. Place the peppers on the baking sheet, cut sides facing up and bake until tender.
  2. Cook the onions and cook; addthe meat and cook until browned.
  3. Sesaon with this yumminess: Chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and juice of lime.
  4. Remove the peppers from the oven. Switch the heat over to BROIL.
  5. Divide the meat into each pepper; sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese is melted on top!
  6. Serve with sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro!

Are you free from traditions?

I never want to revisit those hectic years, and part of changing things up in our family was to look at traditions. Did we all love them, or were they my agenda? We made changes, and we continue to (we’re living in a new town now!), and it’s freeing and wonderful.

For the holidays, I want to enjoy cooking for my family (like this super easy Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe) and others, go to coffee with friends (we’re still forging new friendships), keep in touch with lifelong friends, make time for hugs, and cherish memories.

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Don’t forgetto cherish

I think we can get so rushed with the holidays, we forget to stop and “cherish.”

When I think of cherished memories, I think of my Mom. All the love and time she put into the holidays to make them special for our family. She’d sew bathrobes, quilt new bedspreads, bake lots of sweets (and give them away).

She’s gone now, so when I’m doing holiday baking, I always think of Mom!

I realize how lucky I am, not to have lost my Mom way too early, but to have had her as long as we did.

I’m lucky to understand the importance of certain moments that catch my soul … I grab on to them right away … because they may never come again.

So when I gaze over a baking rack of these freshly decorated cookies, I’m struck by the love for my Mom, and the truth of the amazing gift her life was to so many!

Now I go on … and do the best that I can to be a good mom to my kids!

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Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Not only does this recipe call for fresh ingredients, it’s an easy recipe to get your kids cooking in the kitchen.

One of the earlier recipes that our mom taught us girls to make was Stuffed Green Peppers!

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She also includes seasonal meal plans and shopping lists (and how to shop for real food), tasty packed lunches for kids AND adults, supermarket staples (what stores carry what), and then kitchen tips, including food prep guides and storage cheat sheets!

It’s a gorgeous hardback book that I think my readers will LOVE!

I particularly love this recipe, stuffed peppers was one of my mom’s go-to recipes!

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It’s also pretty, Christmas-y, and festive.

Plus, a great family (or entertaining) meal.

ENJOY!

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Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 35 minutes mins

Total Time: 45 minutes mins

Yield: 4

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Ingredients

  • 4 large peppers, any color, sliced in half length-wise and de-seeded
  • 2 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1/2 onion
  • 1 pound ground pork, beef (I used ground turkey)
  • 1 tsp. chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp. cumin
  • 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
  • 1/2 tsp. salt
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 1 cup freshly grated Monterey Jack or pepper Jack cheese
  • Toppings: sour cream and cilantro

Instructions

  • Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.

  • Place the peppers on the baking sheet, cut sides facing up and bake until tender, 20-25 minutes.

  • Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft, 3-4 minutes.

  • Add the meat and cook until browned and cooked through, 5-6 mintues. Drain off the fat; season with chili powder, cumin, oregano, salt, and juice of lime.

  • Remove the peppers from the oven. Switch the heat over to BROIL.

  • Divide the meat into each pepper; sprinkle with cheese. Broil 3-5 minutes until cheese is melted on top!

  • Serve with sour cream and fresh chopped cilantro!

Notes

originally posted DEC 2016

Cuisine: American

Course: Main Course

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

Did you make this recipe?Tag @reluctantentertainer on Instagram and hashtag it #reluctantentertainer!

This recipe is from my friend Lisa’s book, 100 Days of Real Food: Fast and Fabulous, by Lisa Leake. You can read more about it, here. It’s a great book, with easy tips on how to cut out processed foods, and learn to eat fresh!

More pepper recipes: Pizza Slow Cooker Stuffed Peppers [A Spicy Perspective] and Stuffed Pepper Soup [Spend with Pennies].

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Taco-Stuffed Peppers Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Should I cook my bell peppers before stuffing them? ›

You can also pre-cook them in the oven before they're filled. Preheat your oven to the temperature recommended by the recipe, place them in the oven until they are tender, then fill and return the stuffed peppers to the oven for the remainder of the cooking time.

How do you get stuffed peppers to stand up? ›

To easily stuff bell peppers and keep them upright during baking, arrange and then bake them in a Bundt, tube, angel food, or muffin pan (spray with nonstick spray first). The peppers stay upright, freeing your hands for assembly.

How do you keep stuffed peppers from falling apart? ›

Bell peppers contain more than 90% water, much of which is released during the cooking process. If you cook your stuffed peppers in one fell swoop, that moisture will release and end up in the final dish. Give them a jump start and prevent them from falling apart by roasting them for a short time in a hot oven.

How do you keep stuffed peppers from getting watery? ›

How to Prevent Watery Peppers
  1. Pre-cook Peppers. When you bake peppers that are not pre-blanched or cooked, it is normal that they release their natural water – which can be easily avoided by pre-cooking beforehand. ...
  2. Use Leftover Rice. Does this tip sound familiar to you? ...
  3. Save Cheese for the Topping.

How do you cook bell peppers so they are soft? ›

Remove seeds and ribs from peppers; cut lengthwise into strips and halve crosswise. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add bell peppers and onion; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until peppers are just tender, about 10 minutes.

Why do my stuffed peppers taste bland? ›

Peppers can be quite bland on their own so seasoning the inside of the cavity with salt is very important. Be sure to taste your stuffing prior to filling the peppers and make any adjustments there as well. Marinara. We used our simple marinara sauce for this recipe.

What goes well with stuffed peppers? ›

Even though the stuffed peppers likely contain rice, a starch, they pair very well with mashed potatoes. I also recommend a simple salad with an acidic dressing such as balsamic vinaigrette.

Can you save stuffed peppers? ›

These stuffed bell peppers hold up very well in the refrigerator stored in an airtight container for up to 4 days. They can be reheated in the microwave or the oven and the leftovers taste just as good the next day, making them perfect for meal prep!

Why are my stuffed peppers mushy? ›

Roasting lightly oiled peppers at a high heat gives the outside a chance to release some moisture so they can brown a bit, and placing the cut peppers face-side down allows that moisture to drain out rather than making them sit in their own liquid and get mushy.

Why didn't my rice cook in my stuffed peppers? ›

If you find your rice didn't cook in your stuffed peppers, it's likely one of two reasons: It didn't have enough time to cook through. There wasn't enough moisture for the grains to absorb.

How do you firm up peppers? ›

Peppers are a tricky bunch, with their ability to bounce back depending on the type of pepper and the thickness of the skin. If they've lost their crispness and you want them for salads, you can slice them up and try a 10 minute ice bath in a bowl. You can also pickle the peppers, even in their limp state.

Should you cook or raw bell peppers? ›

Eating them raw provides maximum vitamin C content, but cooking bell peppers can increase the availability of other nutrients.

How to par boil peppers for stuffing? ›

In a large pot of boiling water, parboil the peppers until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and dry on paper towels. In a large saute pan or skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat.

Do bell peppers get sweeter when cooked? ›

Peppers' flavor and texture can be altered in a variety of ways during cooking. The natural sweetness of peppers can be enhanced through cooking, which can also lessen their bitterness and soften their texture for a more tender and palatable result.

How early can you prep bell peppers? ›

Cut peppers can keep up to 7 days this way, but it's best to use them as soon as possible. Leftover cooked peppers should be stored in an airtight container and will last 3-4 days in the fridge.

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