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.
Ingredients
- 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
Instructions
- Preparation: Activate oven to 375°F (190°C), line baking sheet with parchment paper for effortless cooking and clean release.
- Pepper Preparation: Halve bell peppers lengthwise, meticulously removing seeds and membranes to create pristine vessels for the luxurious filling.
- 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.
- Stuffing Process: Lavishly fill pepper halves with the decadent cream cheese blend, gently compressing to ensure complete integration and maximum flavor distribution.
- Baking Method: Position stuffed peppers on prepared sheet, strategically spacing to facilitate optimal heat circulation and even cooking.
- Culinary Transformation: Roast in preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, tracking pepper tenderness and filling’s golden, effervescent appearance.
- Optional Finishing: If desired, activate broiler for 1-2 minutes to create a tantalizing crisp exterior, maintaining vigilant watch to prevent scorching.
- Final Presentation: Extract from oven, allow brief resting period, then adorn with freshly chopped herbs or green onions to elevate visual and aromatic appeal.
- 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