These Taco Stuffed Peppers are filled with seasoned ground beef, black beans, and diced tomatoes. Top them with sour cream and even Doritos, Fritos, or Tortilla chips!

Be sure to try my traditional Stuffed Bell Peppers and Chicken Poblano Soup recipes next!

Half of a yellow bell pepper stuffed with taco filling and topped with melted cheese and sour cream.

Who doesn’t love a good Mexican night?! We’ve been eating taco stuffed peppers for years, and honestly, I never miss the shell. I’m all about the meat and cheese, what can I say!?

Let’s get into the fun stuff. The filling options. They are endless.

Other Taco Fillings

  • Veggies: Tomatoes, Red Onions, Corn, Avocado, Jalapenos, Black Olives.
  • Cheeses: Monterey Jack, Cheddar, Pepper Jack, Queso, Fontina.
  • Other: Sour Cream, Rice, Cilantro, Guacamole, Salsa, Hot Sauce, Enchilada Sauce, Tortilla Strips, Fritos, Doritos, Pico De Gallo, Refried Beans.

Pro Tip! Substitute ground turkey or shredded chicken for an even leaner variation! And be sure to use my homemade taco seasoning for the ground beef, it’s outlined in the notes section of the recipe card!

How to Make Taco Stuffed Peppers

Slice each pepper in half and use a paring knife to trace along the stem and remove it.

Place on a baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes at 350°. Prepare the filling mixture while the peppers cook.

Bell peppers on a baking sheet cut in half next to a skillet with taco filling for making taco stuffed peppers.

Stuff each pepper with the filling and top with cheese. Bake for 15 more minutes. 

Bell peppers on a baking sheet filled with taco filling and topped with shredded cheese.

Bell Peppers Are Over 90% Water

This is the main reason we pre-bake the halved peppers for 15 minutes. You’ll likely be able to pour water out from the middle of the pepper that would otherwise have gone into your taco filling.

It also allows you to cook the ground beef while the peppers cook, which saves time.

Calories in a Bell Pepper vs. Taco Shells

  • 1 whole medium bell pepper = 24 calories (or 12 calories for a h
  • 1 Fried taco shell= 150 calories
  • 1 Baked taco shell= 62 calories
  • 1 (6-inch) flour tortilla = 90 calories

Calories Saved by Subbing 1/2 bell pepper

  • 50 calories saved for each baked taco shell.
  • 138 calories saved for each fried taco shell.
  • 78 calories saved for each 6-inch flour tortilla.

…Taco stuffed peppers it is!

Try These Next

A taco stuffed pepper pepper on a white plate with a fork in the background.

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Taco Stuffed Peppers

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 22 ratings
Servings: 8 half peppers
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These healthy, low carb Taco Stuffed Peppers are oven baked and can be made with ground beef, turkey, or shredded chicken! And easy weeknight dinner with endless topping options!

Ingredients

US Customary - Metric
  • 4 bell peppers
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 1 small yellow onion, diced
  • 1 oz. packet Taco Seasoning,, see notes for homemade recipe
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 (10 oz.) can Rotel Tomatoes with green chilies, drained
  • 2 cups shredded Mexican Cheese

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Slice the peppers in half and remove the stem/seeds.
  • Place them (hollow side up), on a greased baking sheet. Cover with foil and bake for 15 minutes. Discard excess water in the middle of the pepper.
  • Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large pan over medium-high heat. Drain any grease.
  • Add the diced onions and cook for 5 minutes. Add the Taco Seasoning, tomato paste, and garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  • Add 2/3 cup water. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer.
  • Add the black beans and tomatoes and simmer for 5 minutes.
  • Scoop the taco filling inside each of the baked peppers. Top each with cheese. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the cheese is hot and melted. Serve!

Notes

Homemade Taco Seasoning (Delicious!)
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon EACH: pepper, paprika
  • ¼ teaspoon EACH: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano
  • 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1 pinch cinnamon

Nutrition

Calories: 246kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 24g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 53mg, Sodium: 785mg, Potassium: 675mg, Fiber: 7g, Sugar: 6g, Vitamin A: 2485IU, Vitamin C: 86mg, Calcium: 372mg, Iron: 4mg
Did you try this recipe?Mention @TheCozyCook on Instagram or tag #thecozycook!
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Mexican
Author: Stephanie

 

These savory taco stuffed peppers are filled with ground beef or turkey and sprinkled with your favorite taco toppings and melted cheese! #tacos #peppers #healthy #meat #protein #dinner #cheese #mexicanfood #groundbeef