Stuffed Mini Sweet Peppers with Ground Meat and Cheese Recipe
Delicious stuffed mini sweet peppers filled with a flavorful blend of ground meat, cheese, and spices, topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection. This easy-to-make appetizer or snack combines savory ground meat with creamy cheese for a satisfying bite.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 stuffed mini sweet peppers (serves 4-6)
- 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 the oven to 190°C (375°F) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Prepare Peppers: Slice mini sweet peppers in half lengthwise and carefully remove all seeds to create space for the filling.
- Sauté Aromatics and Meat: In a skillet over medium heat, sauté the chopped onions until translucent, then add minced garlic and ground meat, cooking until the meat is browned evenly throughout.
- Season Mixture: Add ground cumin, paprika, salt, and black pepper to the skillet and stir well to evenly distribute spices and build flavor.
- Add Cheese: Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the cheese until it melts completely and combines smoothly with the seasoned meat mixture.
- Fill Peppers: Spoon the cheese and meat mixture into each pepper half, placing them cut-side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper for easy cleanup.
- Add Topping: Generously sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the filled peppers to create a crispy topping once baked.
- Bake: Bake the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the peppers are tender and the breadcrumb topping turns golden brown and crispy.
Notes
- You can use ground beef, turkey, or chicken based on your preference or dietary needs.
- Cheddar cheese will give a sharper flavor, while cream cheese will result in a creamier texture.
- Be careful not to overfill the pepper halves to ensure even cooking and prevent spills.
- Serve warm as an appetizer, snack, or as part of a main meal with a side salad.
- Panko breadcrumbs add an airy crunch, but you can substitute with regular breadcrumbs if needed.
