Love tacos but want something lighter? These Taco Stuffed Peppers are packed with bold Mexican flavor, melty cheese, and protein-rich filling without the tortillas.
They’re low carb, family-friendly, and ready in just 25 minutes. Perfect for busy weeknights!
table of contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
✔ Low-carb & gluten-free
✔ High-protein dinner
✔ Ready in 25 minutes
✔ Easy to customize
✔ Great for meal prep
✔ Family-approved
Recipe Overview
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Servings: 8 half peppers
- Calories: 246 kcal per serving
- Course: Main Course
- Cuisine: Mexican-inspired
Ingredients
- 4 bell peppers (any color)
- 1 lb ground beef (or turkey/chicken)
- 1 small yellow onion, diced
- 1 oz taco seasoning (store-bought or homemade)
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
- 1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes with green chilies, drained
- 2 cups shredded Mexican cheese blend
How to Make Taco Stuffed Peppers
1️⃣ Prep the Peppers
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Slice peppers in half and remove seeds.
Place cut-side up on a greased baking sheet.
Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes.
Drain excess liquid.
2️⃣ Make the Taco Filling
Brown ground beef in skillet over medium-high heat.
Drain grease.
Add onions and cook 5 minutes.
Stir in taco seasoning, tomato paste, and garlic.
Add ⅔ cup water and simmer.
Add black beans and Rotel tomatoes.
Simmer 5 minutes.
3️⃣ Stuff & Bake
Fill each pepper with taco mixture.
Top generously with cheese.
Bake 15 minutes until cheese melts.
Serve hot!
Homemade Taco Seasoning
- 1 tbsp chili powder
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1½ tsp cumin
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp EACH: pepper & paprika
- ¼ tsp EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano
- 1/8 tsp cayenne
- Pinch cinnamon
Topping Ideas
- Sour cream or Greek yogurt
- Fresh cilantro
- Diced avocado
- Jalapeños
- Salsa
- Lime wedges
Protein Substitutions
- Ground turkey
- Ground chicken
- Shredded rotisserie chicken
- Plant-based crumbles
- Ground beef + chorizo mix
Nutrition (Per ½ Pepper)
Calories: 246 kcal
High protein, low carb option.
Nutrition estimates may vary based on ingredients used.
Taco Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Place halved bell peppers cut-side up in a baking dish and pre-bake for 10 minutes.
- In a skillet over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned. Stir in black beans and taco seasoning, cooking until heated through.
- Spoon the taco mixture evenly into the pre-baked peppers and top with shredded cheese.
- Bake for 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly. Serve warm.
Nutrition
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!Conclusion
Taco Stuffed Peppers are the perfect way to enjoy taco night without the extra carbs. They’re colorful, satisfying, and endlessly customizable making them ideal for weeknight dinners or meal prep.
Bold flavor. Melty cheese. Healthy comfort food.