Cheesy Fiesta Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe

This Mexican themed stuffed mini peppers recipe is very easy AND cheesy! Make this simple dish for dinner or an appetizer – and use your choice of ground meats for filling.

I know sometimes people say “easiest ever” and the recipe isn’t truly easy. But when I say this stuffed mini peppers recipe is the easiest ever, I mean it! You’re cutting mini peppers in half and stuffing them with goodness, then putting cheese on top. EASY.

What I love about these mini stuffed peppers is that they are so versatile. You can make them for lunch or dinner. And one of my favorite things about this recipe is that it’s a perfect appetizer that everyone loves. You can bring it to a game day party or serve for a casual group dinner.

The total time to make this recipe is 30 minutes, and that’s right up my alley. It’s the perfect time for a quick dinner. These Mexican themed mini stuffed peppers will make the whole family happy . . . who doesn’t love rice and cheese??

Pick Your Meat, Rice, and Cheese

The seasoning and tomato sauce can stay the same, and you can change the meat, rice, and cheese to meet your and your family’s needs. Try ground beef, turkey, or chicken. Choose white or brown rice – or even Mexican rice. As far as cheese, I recommend a Mexican blend or Pepper Jack if you like it a bit spicy.

Weight Watchers Stuffed Peppers

Turn this stuffed mini peppers recipe into Weight Watchers stuffed peppers recipe with just a few tweaks! You will need to do the following: 1) use 99% fat free ground turkey; 2) use brown rice; 3) make sure to use cooking spray (no olive oil); and 4) use reduced fat shredded cheese. That will result in 5 Freestyle Points per serving for these mini peppers.

Stuffed Mini Peppers Recipe

Ingredients – serves 6

• 12 mini bell peppers
• 1 pound of ground beef or ground turkey
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cups of cooked rice – brown or white, your choice
• 2 14 oz. cans of roasted garlic or Italian seasoned tomato sauce
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• sprinkle of salt and pepper
• pinch of parsley
• 1 tbsp of olive oil (or cooking spray)

Instructions

Begin by prepping your peppers (note: Trader Joes always has a great deal on mini peppers!). If they are not pre-washed, wash and let dry. Use a paring knife to slice them in half, then a spoon to remove any seeds. Set aside. At this time, pre-heat your oven to 400º F.

Cook rice according to instructions on the package. If you’re looking for easy and fast (and want white rice), try Minute Rice. You’ll boil water, place the rice in, and simmer for 5 minutes. They also have brown rice for those following Weight Watchers.

Heat 1 tbsp of oil or cooking spray on medium-high heat. Place the ground meat of your choice into the pan and cook. While cooking, add in the salt, pepper, and parsley into the meat. Cook until brown.

Turn heat off and stir in one can of tomato sauce and the taco seasoning. Toss in the rice and an additional cup of tomato sauce (you’ll have some left over). Mix until well combined.

Spread some tomato sauce around the bottom of your baking pan. Spoon the mixture evenly into your peppers and place in the baking pan. Top with the shredded cheese and place in oven at 400º F for about 15 minutes.

Take your mini stuffed peppers out of the oven; let cool. Serves six with four mini pepper halves per person.

If you make the full recipe you’ll need a bigger pan obviously . . . but isn’t this little baking dish cute? Mini stuffed peppers need a mini dish, in my humble opinion.

Print Recipe

Easy Stuffed Mini Peppers

This Mexican themed stuffed mini peppers recipe is very easy AND cheesy! Make this simple dish for dinner or an appetizer - and use your choice of ground meats for filling. 

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time15 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 250kcal

Ingredients

• 12 mini bell peppers
• 1 T olive oil or cooking spray
• 1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
• 3 packet taco seasoning
• 2 cup cooked rice - brown or white your choice
• 2 14 ounce cans roasted garlic or Italian seasoned tomato sauce
• 1 cup cheddar cheese
• 1 pinch of parsley
• salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

• Begin by prepping your peppers (note: Trader Joes always has a great deal on mini peppers!). If they are not pre-washed, wash and let dry. Use a paring knife to slice them in half, then a spoon to remove any seeds. Set aside. Turn your oven to 400º F.
• Cook rice according to instructions on the package. Minute Rice is easy because you boil water, place the rice in and simmer for 5 minutes. They have brown rice as well. However, any rice you want to use is fine.
• Heat 1 tbsp of oil or cooking spray on medium-high heat. Place the ground meat of your choice into the pan and cook. While cooking, add in the salt, pepper, and parsley into the meat. Cook until brown.
• Turn heat off and stir in one can of tomato sauce and the taco seasoning. Toss in the rice and an additional cup of tomato sauce (you'll have some left over). Mix until well combined.
• Spread some tomato sauce around the bottom of your baking pan. Spoon the mixture evenly into your peppers and place in the baking pan. Top with the shredded cheese and place in oven at 400º F for about 15 minutes.
• Take out of oven; let cool. Serves six with four mini pepper halves per person.

Notes

Note: Nutritional information based on 99% fat free ground turkey, brown rice, and using cooking spray rather than olive oil. 

Nutrition

Serving: 4peppers | Calories: 250kcal | Carbohydrates: 32.7g | Protein: 14.4g | Fat: 7.1g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 31mg | Sodium: 902mg | Potassium: 500mg | Fiber: 4.4g | Sugar: 13.2g | Calcium: 12% | Iron: 16%

If you like this stuffed mini peppers recipe, you’ll also enjoy these bacon and cream cheese mini stuffed peppers: