Description
These Creamy Pizza Stuffed Bell Peppers are a delicious and comforting meal, combining seasoned ground beef and Italian sausage with rich cream cheese and classic pizza toppings, all baked inside sweet green bell peppers. Perfect for a family dinner, this recipe offers a fun twist on traditional pizza with a creamy, cheesy filling baked to perfection.
Ingredients
Vegetables
- 5 green bell peppers, halved and cleaned
- 1/2 cup onions, chopped
- 1/4 cup sliced olives
Meats
- 1/2 pound ground beef
- 1/2 pound Italian sausage
- 1/4 cup pepperoni
Dairy & Sauces
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cheddar cheese
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
Instructions
- Cook Meat: In a skillet, cook the ground beef and Italian sausage thoroughly over medium heat until browned. Drain any excess grease.
- Sauté Onions: Return the drained meat to the skillet and add the chopped onions. Cook together until the onions become tender and translucent.
- Add Sauces and Cream Cheese: Stir in the pizza sauce, then add the cream cheese in slices or cubes. Stir continuously until the cream cheese melts and is evenly incorporated into the meat mixture, creating a creamy texture.
- Add Cheddar Cheese: Stir in the cheddar cheese until melted and well mixed to enhance the cheesy flavor of the filling.
- Fill Peppers: Spoon the creamy meat and cheese mixture evenly into each halved and cleaned green bell pepper.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top of the filled peppers, then layer with pepperoni slices and olives.
- Bake: Cover the stuffed peppers with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and bake uncovered for an additional 10 to 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and the peppers have softened slightly.
- Serve: Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly before serving warm. Enjoy your creamy pizza stuffed bell peppers!
Notes
- For a spicier version, add red pepper flakes to the meat mixture.
- You can substitute cream cheese with ricotta for a different creamy texture.
- The bell peppers should be firm to hold the filling well during baking.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated and reheated in the oven or microwave.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American-Italian
