Description
A colorful, flavorful twist on a classic comfort dish, these stuffed peppers are packed with seasoned ground beef, black beans, corn, rice, and melty cheese, all nestled inside roasted bell peppers. Perfect for a hearty weeknight meal or entertaining guests, this recipe combines simple ingredients with bold Mexican spices for an unforgettable taste. The dish is versatile and easy to customize to your preferences, whether you want to go vegetarian or add a smoky kick. It’s a balanced, satisfying meal that’s as pretty as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey, or vegetarian substitute)
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup black beans, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup corn kernels
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- Fresh cilantro and lime wedges for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Cut tops off peppers and remove seeds. Lightly brush with olive oil and pre-bake 10 minutes.
- Sauté onion in olive oil until translucent. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.
- Add ground beef and cook until browned. Drain excess fat.
- Stir in spices, tomato sauce, rice, black beans, and corn. Heat through and add lime juice and cilantro.
- Fill each pepper with the mixture, top with cheese. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes.
- Remove foil and bake another 10-15 minutes until cheese is golden and peppers are tender. Let rest before serving.
Notes
- For a vegetarian version, omit meat and add extra beans or lentils.
- Use fresh spices for best flavor.
- Pre-roasting peppers prevents them from being too crunchy after baking.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking, Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 420
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 560mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 8g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 70mg