Stuffed Banana Peppers
Tender banana peppers filled with seasoned chopped beef and melted Gouda make a simple, flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners, parties, or as a hearty appetizer. Quick to prepare and adaptable to grilling, baking, or broiling.
Equipment
- baking sheet
- Skillet
- spatula
Ingredients
- 10 banana peppers halved lengthwise and cored (use more if peppers are small)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 8 ounces beef or steak finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
- 4 ounces shredded Gouda cheese or other melty cheese
- chopped green onion optional, for garnish
- spicy chili flakes optional, for garnish
- hot sauce optional, to serve
Instructions
Oven
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Slice each banana pepper lengthwise and remove the seeds and membranes. Arrange the pepper halves cut-side up on a large baking sheet.
Beef
- Warm the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the finely chopped beef and season with garlic powder, paprika, salt and black pepper. Cook about 5 minutes, stirring and breaking the meat into small pieces, until it is browned and cooked through.
Stuff
- Fill each pepper half with the seasoned beef, pressing the mixture in so the peppers are well filled. Sprinkle shredded Gouda evenly over the top of each stuffed pepper.
- Bake the filled peppers in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Alternatively, grill them over medium heat for about 15 minutes or broil 6–7 minutes, watching closely, until the cheese has melted and the peppers are tender.
Plate
- Carefully remove the peppers from the oven or grill and transfer to serving plates.
Serve
- Garnish with chopped green onion and a sprinkle of chili flakes, and add hot sauce to taste if desired. Serve warm as a main course, side, or appetizer.