Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers

$- 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green) - 1 pound ground beef (or turkey) - 1 small onion, diced - 2 cloves garlic, minced - 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce - 1 teaspoon mustard - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping) - ½ cup breadcrumbs - Salt and pepper to taste - Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) These main ingredients come together for a delicious meal. The bell peppers serve as tasty bowls. Ground beef or turkey gives a hearty flavor. Onions and garlic add a nice touch. Worcestershire sauce and mustard bring depth. Cheese makes it extra cheesy and fun. Breadcrumbs help bind everything together. You can add some items to make it your own. Consider these options: - Diced tomatoes for a fresh taste - Pickles for a tangy crunch - Cooked mushrooms for a rich flavor - Hot sauce for some heat - Extra spices like paprika or cumin These choices let you play with flavors. Customize to suit your family’s taste. Make sure you have the right tools for this recipe: - A large skillet for cooking the meat - A baking dish to hold the peppers - Aluminum foil to cover the dish - A sharp knife for slicing the peppers - A cutting board for prep Having the right equipment makes cooking easier. It helps you stay organized while you cook. {{ingredient_image_1}} Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). This heat will help the peppers cook well. Next, take four large bell peppers. Cut the tops off and remove the seeds. Set the peppers aside for later. In a large skillet, add one pound of ground beef or turkey. Cook it over medium heat until it turns brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. If there’s extra fat, drain it out. Add one small diced onion and two minced garlic cloves to the skillet. Cook until the onions become soft and clear, which takes about 3 minutes. Now, stir in one teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce, one teaspoon of mustard, and add salt and pepper to taste. Mix all these well. Take the skillet off the heat. Fold in half a cup of breadcrumbs and one cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until everything combines nicely. Now, it's time to stuff the peppers. Fill each bell pepper generously with your cheeseburger mixture. Place the stuffed peppers upright in a baking dish. Add more cheddar cheese on top of each pepper. Cover the dish with aluminum foil. Bake in your preheated oven for 25 minutes. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10 minutes. You want the cheese to be golden and bubbly. Once ready, let the peppers cool for a few minutes. Don’t forget to garnish with fresh parsley before serving! To make your stuffed peppers shine, choose bell peppers that are firm and colorful. Red, yellow, or green all work well. Cut the tops off carefully and remove the seeds. This helps the filling fit nicely. When cooking the meat, make sure it’s browned all over. This adds flavor. Mix in the spices and cheese well for a tasty filling. Don’t overstuff the peppers; leave a little room for the cheese on top. One common mistake is not cooking the filling enough. Always brown the meat and sauté the onions. If the filling is raw, the peppers will not taste good. Another mistake is not seasoning enough. Use salt and pepper to bring out the flavors. Lastly, don't skip covering the dish with foil while baking. This keeps the peppers moist. Remove the foil later for a golden cheese topping. You can prepare the stuffed peppers a day ahead. Cook the filling and stuff the peppers, then cover and store them in the fridge. When ready to bake, just pop them in the oven. You can also freeze them before baking. Wrap the stuffed peppers tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. When you want to eat them, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake as usual. This makes meal prep easy! Pro Tips Choose Colorful Peppers: Using a mix of red, yellow, and green bell peppers not only enhances the visual appeal but also adds subtle flavor variations to the dish. Make Ahead: Prepare the stuffed peppers in advance and store them covered in the fridge. They can be baked straight from the fridge, just add a few extra minutes to the cooking time. Experiment with Fillings: Feel free to customize the filling! Add toppings like diced tomatoes, pickles, or even a splash of hot sauce for an extra kick. Perfectly Cooked Peppers: For softer peppers, blanch them in boiling water for a few minutes before stuffing. This will ensure they cook through evenly in the oven. {{image_2}} You can make a tasty vegetarian version of cheeseburger stuffed peppers. Use black beans or lentils instead of meat. These ingredients give you protein and fiber. Add diced mushrooms for a meaty texture. Mix in chopped bell peppers and zucchini for extra flavor. Keep the Worcestershire sauce and mustard for that classic taste. Don't forget the cheese! Use a plant-based cheese or traditional cheddar. To make gluten-free cheeseburger stuffed peppers, swap breadcrumbs for crushed gluten-free crackers or oats. You can also use almond flour for a low-carb twist. Ground turkey or beef is naturally gluten-free, so you can stick with those meats. Always double-check labels on sauces and cheese to ensure they are gluten-free. Get creative with your toppings! Try adding avocado slices or sour cream on top of your stuffed peppers. You can also drizzle with barbecue sauce for a sweet twist. For a spicy kick, mix in jalapeños or hot sauce. Fresh herbs like cilantro or dill can brighten the dish. Each topping changes the flavor and makes it fun to explore new tastes. After enjoying your cheeseburger stuffed peppers, store any leftovers in an airtight container. Keep them in the fridge. They can last up to four days. Make sure the peppers are cool before sealing them. This prevents extra moisture, which can make them soggy. To reheat, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the stuffed peppers on a baking dish. Cover them with foil to keep them moist. Heat for about 15-20 minutes. You can also use the microwave. Heat on medium power for about 2-3 minutes. Be careful not to overheat. This can dry them out. If you want to save some for later, freezing is a great option! First, let the stuffed peppers cool completely. Wrap each pepper tightly in plastic wrap. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Label the bag with the date. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat, thaw them in the fridge overnight before reheating. Yes, you can use other meats. Ground turkey is a great choice. You can also try ground chicken or even plant-based meat. Each option gives a unique taste. Just make sure to cook it until it is fully done. If you do not have breadcrumbs, use crushed crackers. You can also use oats. Both work well to hold the mixture together. They add a nice texture too. Just remember, the flavor may change slightly. The peppers are done when they are soft and tender. The cheese should be melted and bubbly. You can test the softness with a fork. If it goes in easily, they are ready to eat. Let them cool slightly before serving. Cheeseburger stuffed peppers combine fun flavors and healthy options. We explored key ingredients, from main components to tasty options. I shared tips to ensure perfect cooking and stored leftovers safely. You can easily make this dish vegetarian or gluten-free too. Remember, with these easy steps and variations, you can customize each meal to fit your taste. Try this recipe for a fun twist on a classic! Enjoy cooking and sharing your creations!$

Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers

Delicious bell peppers filled with a savory cheeseburger mixture.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 25

Total Time 40

Course Main Course

Cuisine American

Servings 4

Calories 350 kcal

Ingredients

4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
1 pound ground beef (or turkey)
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon mustard
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (plus extra for topping)
0.5 cup breadcrumbs
to taste Salt and pepper
for garnish Fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Set aside.
In a large skillet over medium heat, add the ground beef (or turkey) and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes. Drain excess fat if necessary.
Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté until onions are translucent, about 3 minutes.
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
Remove the skillet from heat and fold in the breadcrumbs and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until combined.
Stuff each bell pepper generously with the cheeseburger mixture and place them upright in a baking dish.
Sprinkle additional cheddar cheese on top of each stuffed pepper.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until cheese is golden and bubbly.
Once done, let the stuffed peppers cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Notes

Feel free to customize the filling with your favorite toppings.

Keyword cheeseburger, easy dinner, stuffed peppers