5-Ingredient Taco Stuffed Peppers

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These five-ingredient stuffed peppers are a simple, satisfying twist on taco night with all the flavors you love. Sweet bell peppers act as the perfect vessel for a filling of lean ground beef, black beans, salsa and melty cheese. Serve them with a dollop of sour cream, sliced avocado and/or fresh cilantro for a little extra flair.

a recipe photo of 5-Ingredient Taco Stuffed Peppers
Credit:

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

Active Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
4
  • This dish transforms taco night with a creative presentation in bell pepper halves.
  • The meal is packed with protein from lean ground beef and black beans.
  • The peppers are topped with cheese and baked until perfectly browned.
Ingredients including ground meat, red bell peppers, shredded cheese, beans, and sauce arranged on a surface

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • 4 large bell peppers

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 pound 95%-lean ground beef

  • 1 (15-ounce) can no-salt-added black beans, rinsed

  • 1 cup mild salsa, divided

  • cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

  2. Slice 4 peppers in half lengthwise; remove and discard seeds and ribs. Place the pepper halves, cut-sides up, on the baking sheet.

    Halved and cored bell peppers on a cutting board, knife nearby

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

  3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 pound ground beef; cook, stirring often to crumble, until browned, about 5 minutes. Add rinsed beans and ½ cup salsa; stir to combine. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup shredded cheese.

    Pan containing ground meat, beans, and shredded cheese being stirred with a utensil

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

  4. Fill each pepper half with the ground beef mixture, about a generous ⅓ cup each. Bake until the peppers are tender and beginning to brown, about 20 minutes. Top the peppers with the remaining ½ cup cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted, about 5 minutes. Serve with the remaining ½ cup salsa on the side.

    Stuffed red bell peppers with a taco filling placed on a tray

    Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf, Prop Styling: Josh Hoggle.

Nutrition Information

Serving Size: 2 stuffed pepper halves

Calories 508, Fat 24g, Saturated Fat 12g, Cholesterol 112mg, Carbohydrates 32g, Total Sugars 10g, Added Sugars 0g, Protein 41g, Fiber 11g, Sodium 572mg, Potassium 1,016mg

EatingWell.com, June 2025