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Cheesy Mexican-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers

Prep 10 min Cook 20 min Difficulty 1/5

Skillet Cheesy Mexican-Style Stuffed Peppers: quick, cheesy dinner in under 30 minutes.

Why this recipe works

This Cheesy Mexican-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe combines seasoned ground meat, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro for a quick, skillet-based dinner. It’s simple enough for weeknights and filling enough for leftovers.

Search intent: recipe for stuffed peppers dinner
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  • easy weeknight dinner
  • cilantro garnish peppers

Key takeaways

Prep and cook times are concise
Cheese folded into meat for flavor
Cooks peppers in skillet with steam finish

Recipe guide

This Cheesy Mexican-Style Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe combines seasoned ground meat, melted cheese, and fresh cilantro for a quick, skillet-based dinner. It’s simple enough for weeknights and filling enough for leftovers.

A quick, cheesy dinner you can make in one skillet.

  • Prep and cook times are concise
  • Cheese folded into meat for flavor
  • Cooks peppers in skillet with steam finish

What you’ll need

Ingredients include 1 lb ground meat, 4 bell peppers, 1 onion, 1 tomato, 2 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp taco seasoning, 1 cup shredded cheese, and cilantro.

How to cook

Sauté onion and garlic, brown meat, stir in taco seasoning and tomato, fold in half the cheese until melted. Stuff peppers, top with remaining cheese, add water, cover and steam 8–10 minutes.

Serving and tips

Let peppers rest briefly, garnish with cilantro, and serve. For extra heat, add jalapeño or hot sauce.

Ingredients

  • 1 lb ground meat
  • 4 whole bell peppers
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 medium tomato, diced
  • 2 tbsp taco seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

Instructions

  1. Preheat a large skillet over medium-high heat and prepare bell peppers by cutting off tops, removing seeds, and rinsing inside.
  2. Dice onion and tomato and mince garlic.
  3. Add a splash of oil to the hot skillet, then cook onion until translucent, about 2 minutes.
  4. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Add ground meat and break up with a spoon; cook until browned, about 4–5 minutes.
  6. Stir in taco seasoning and diced tomato; cook 2–3 minutes until flavors meld and excess liquid reduces.
  7. Turn heat to low and stir in half the shredded cheese until melted into the meat mixture.
  8. Spoon the meat mixture into each prepared pepper, pressing down to pack evenly.
  9. Top each stuffed pepper with remaining cheese.
  10. Place stuffed peppers upright in the skillet; add 1/4 cup water to the skillet and cover tightly.
  11. Steam covered for 8–10 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.
  12. Remove cover, sprinkle chopped cilantro over peppers, and let rest 1–2 minutes before serving.

FAQs

Can I use chicken or turkey instead of beef? Yes. Use lean ground poultry and adjust cooking time as needed until fully cooked.
Can I make this ahead? Yes. Prepare filling and peppers, refrigerate, then reheat while assembling and cooking.
Why add water and cover the skillet? The water creates steam to soften peppers and melt cheese without extra oil.