Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Ground Meat and Cheese Recipe
This Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers recipe features colorful mini peppers halved and filled with a savory mixture of ground meat, onions, garlic, aromatic spices, and melty cheese. Topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs and baked to perfection, these stuffed peppers make a flavorful appetizer or satisfying main dish with tender, juicy filling and crisp golden topping.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 stuffed mini sweet peppers
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 12 mini sweet peppers
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
Proteins
- 450 grams ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken)
Dairy
- 240 milliliters cheese (cheddar or cream cheese)
Spices & Seasonings
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Toppings
- 120 milliliters panko breadcrumbs
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare Peppers: Slice the mini sweet peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove all seeds to create hollow boats for the filling.
- Sauté Aromatics: Heat a skillet over medium heat, add the finely chopped onions, and cook until they become translucent. Then add the minced garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant.
- Cook Ground Meat: Add the ground meat to the skillet, cooking and stirring occasionally until the meat is browned and cooked through.
- Season Mixture: Stir in ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to ensure the spices blend evenly and the mixture is aromatic.
- Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the cheese, stirring until it fully melts and combines with the meat mixture, creating a creamy texture.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the meat and cheese filling into each pepper half, arranging them cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle the panko breadcrumbs evenly over the tops of the stuffed peppers to give a crunchy, golden crust when baked.
- Bake: Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the peppers are tender and the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown.
Notes
- You can use beef, turkey, or chicken for the ground meat based on your preference.
- The cheese choice (cheddar or cream cheese) affects the creaminess and flavor; feel free to experiment.
- If you like extra spice, add a pinch of chili powder or cayenne pepper to the filling.
- Panko breadcrumbs add a nice crunchy topping, but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.
- Serve warm as an appetizer, side, or a light main course.
