Gooey Cheesy Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers Recipe for All

Vibrant bell peppers bursting with creamy cream cheese stuffing promise a delightful culinary adventure.

These stuffed peppers blend robust flavors and simple ingredients into an irresistible dish.

Packed with rich, melted cheese and savory seasonings, each pepper offers a mouthwatering experience.

The combination of tender vegetables and smooth cream cheese creates a perfect balance of textures and tastes.

Colorful bell peppers provide a nutritious canvas for this delectable filling.

Home cooks will love how quickly this recipe comes together with minimal preparation.

Serve these peppers as a stunning appetizer or satisfying main course that’s sure to impress everyone at the table.

Serve These Peppers as Sides or Appetizers

• Party Platter Perfection: Arrange these stuffed peppers on a colorful platter surrounded by fresh herb sprigs and crispy crackers for a stunning appetizer spread that will wow guests.
• Protein Power-Up: Pair these peppers with grilled chicken, sliced steak, or roasted shrimp to transform them into a complete, protein-packed main course that satisfies hunger.
• Brunch Brilliance: Serve alongside scrambled eggs and crispy bacon for a delightful weekend breakfast or brunch option that adds a vibrant vegetable component to the meal.
• Meal Prep: Cool completely, store in airtight containers, and enjoy as a quick lunch or snack throughout the week, making meal planning easy and delicious.

Store Stuffed Peppers for Easy Lunches

• Store leftover stuffed peppers in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. Cool completely before sealing to prevent moisture buildup and maintain optimal texture.
• Prepare cream cheese filling and slice peppers up to 24 hours in advance. Keep filling and peppers separately refrigerated, then assemble and bake when ready to serve for maximum freshness and convenience.
• Wrap individual stuffed peppers tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and reheat in oven at 350F until warmed through and cheese melts evenly.
• Warm leftover peppers in oven at 350F for 10-15 minutes to restore crispy edges and prevent soggy texture. Avoid microwave reheating, which can make peppers soft and filling watery. For best results, cover with foil during reheating to retain moisture.

FAQs

• What type of peppers work best for this recipe?

Bell peppers are ideal, with red, yellow, or green varieties all working well. Choose peppers that are firm, symmetrical, and have a flat bottom so they sit evenly on the baking sheet.

• Can I use low-fat cream cheese?

Yes, low-fat cream cheese will work fine. The texture and taste might be slightly different, but it won’t significantly impact the overall recipe. Just ensure the cream cheese is softened for easy mixing.

• How can I make the peppers spicier?

Add some diced jalapeños to the cream cheese mixture or sprinkle red pepper flakes on top before baking. You can also use spicy shredded cheese to increase the heat level.

• Is this dish vegetarian?

Yes, this cream cheese stuffed peppers recipe is vegetarian. It contains dairy products but no meat, making it a great option for vegetarian diets.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 210 kcal

Servings: 6

Cream Cheese Stuffed Pepper Ingredient Breakdown

• Bell Peppers: Select vibrant, firm peppers with smooth skin and no blemishes for best texture and flavor.
• Parchment Paper: Creates non-stick surface for easy cleanup and prevents peppers from sticking.

• Cream Cheese: Provides rich, smooth base with tangy flavor; use softened cheese for easy mixing.
• Shredded Cheese: Adds melty texture and extra depth of flavor; choose sharp cheddar or mild monterey jack.
• Sour Cream: Enhances creaminess and adds subtle tanginess to filling.
• Garlic Powder: Delivers savory, aromatic undertone without chopping fresh garlic.
• Onion Powder: Introduces mild onion essence throughout filling.
• Salt: Balances and heightens overall flavor profile.
• Black Pepper: Adds gentle warmth and slight kick to stuffed peppers.

• Fresh Herbs: Sprinkle chopped parsley or chives for bright, fresh finish.
• Green Onions: Provides crisp texture and mild onion accent to completed dish.

Tools That Help Fill and Roast Stuffed Peppers

• Baking Sheet: Flat metal pan to hold and cook peppers evenly.
• Parchment Paper or Foil: Prevents peppers from sticking and makes cleanup easy.
• Mixing Bowl: Large container for combining cream cheese and other filling ingredients.
• Spoon: Used for mixing filling and stuffing peppers with cream cheese mixture.
• Sharp Knife: Essential for slicing bell peppers in half and removing seeds.
• Cutting Board: Provides stable surface for preparing peppers.
• Measuring Spoons: Helps accurately measure spices and seasonings.

Bake Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers Until Bubbly

• Prep Colorful Peppers

Grab bell peppers and slice them carefully down the middle. Remove seeds and inner membranes. Arrange pepper halves on a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• Whip Together Creamy Filling

Mix softened cream cheese with complementary cheeses in a bowl. Fold in seasonings until the mixture becomes smooth and tangy. Blend ingredients thoroughly to create a rich, velvety texture.

• Load Peppers with Deliciousness

Generously spoon the creamy mixture into each pepper half. Press filling gently to ensure complete coverage inside the pepper. Make sure each pepper is packed with flavor.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the stuffed peppers into a preheated oven at 375F. Bake for 25-30 minutes until peppers soften and filling turns golden and bubbly. For an extra crispy top, broil for 1-2 minutes at the end.

• Finish and Serve

Pull peppers from the oven and sprinkle with fresh herbs or green onions. Add a pop of color and extra zest. Serve immediately while hot and enjoy the mouthwatering result.

Tips to Mix and Season the Filling Just Right

• Add extra sharp cheddar or pepper jack to the cream cheese mixture for a more intense flavor punch.
• Replace regular cream cheese with full-fat Greek yogurt to reduce calories and maintain creamy texture.
• Mix in cooked ground chicken, turkey, or crumbled bacon to transform the stuffed peppers into a complete meal.
• Sprinkle red pepper flakes or add diced jalapeños inside the filling for those who love a little heat kick.
• Prepare the stuffed peppers up to 24 hours in advance, store covered in the refrigerator, and bake just before serving for convenient meal planning.

Cheesy Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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4.6 from 15 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 7 1x

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Description

Savory cream cheese stuffed peppers combine Mexican and Italian culinary traditions with a simple, elegant dish. Mild bell peppers cradle rich cheese and spices, offering a delightful appetizer you’ll crave at any gathering.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 12 mini bell peppers or large jalapenos
• 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened
• ½ cup (60 g) shredded cheddar cheese
• ¼ cup (25 g) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• ½ tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• ¼ cup (15 g) chopped green onions or chives
• ¼ cup (30 g) crumbled bacon or breadcrumbs

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Activate oven to 375°F (190°C), line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cooking and clean release.
2. Pepper Preparation: Halve bell peppers lengthwise, meticulously removing seeds and membranes to create pristine vessels for the luxurious filling.
3. Filling Creation: Amalgamate softened cream cheese with shredded cheese, incorporating sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until achieving a velvety, homogeneous mixture with robust flavor profiles.
4. Stuffing Process: Lavishly fill pepper halves with the decadent cream cheese blend, gently compressing to ensure complete integration and maximum flavor distribution.
5. Baking Method: Position stuffed peppers on prepared sheet, strategically spacing to facilitate optimal heat circulation and even cooking.
6. Culinary Transformation: Roast in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, tracking pepper tenderness and filling’s golden, effervescent appearance.
7. Optional Finishing: If desired, activate broiler for 1-2 minutes to create a tantalizing crisp exterior, maintaining vigilant watch to prevent scorching.
8. Final Presentation: Extract from oven, allow brief resting period, then adorn with freshly chopped herbs or green onions to elevate visual and aromatic appeal.
9. Serving Suggestion: Present immediately while piping hot, savoring the sumptuous, creamy texture and intricate flavor composition of these gourmet stuffed peppers.

Notes

Select Pepper Variety: Choose bell peppers with flat bottoms for stable stuffing and consistent baking, ensuring even cooking and presentation.

Control Moisture Levels: Pat peppers completely dry after cleaning to prevent watery filling and maintain creamy texture during roasting.

Customize Cheese Blend: Experiment with different cheese combinations like sharp cheddar or monterey jack for diverse flavor profiles and enhanced richness.

Temperature Management: Allow cream cheese mixture to reach room temperature before filling to guarantee smooth spreading and prevent lumpy texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 7
• Calories: 160
• Sugar: 1 g
• Sodium: 250 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 8 g
• Fiber: 1 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg