BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers Recipe

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers are a fun and flavorful twist on a classic burger. By stuffing bell peppers with all the components of a delicious cheeseburger—seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce—this dish is a perfect low-carb, gluten-free option that will satisfy all your burger cravings without the bun.

This recipe is great for meal prep, a weeknight dinner, or even a fun family gathering. It’s hearty, flavorful, and can be customized to suit your taste preferences.

Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Bell Peppers

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers and carefully remove the seeds and membranes. If necessary, trim the bottoms of the peppers slightly so they stand upright in the baking dish. Set aside.
3. Blanch the Peppers (Optional): Some prefer to blanch their peppers before stuffing to make them softer. To do this, place the peppers in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, then transfer them immediately into a bowl of ice water. Drain well. This step is optional but can help soften the peppers.

Step 2: Cook the Bacon

1. Crisp the Bacon: In a medium skillet, cook the bacon strips over medium heat until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon from the skillet and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Once cooled, crumble the bacon into small pieces. Set aside.

Step 3: Cook the Ground Beef Filling

1. Brown the Ground Beef: In the same skillet (you can use the bacon fat for extra flavor), add the ground beef. Cook over medium-high heat, breaking it up with a spoon until it’s fully browned and cooked through (about 5-7 minutes).
2. Season the Meat: Add the diced onion and minced garlic to the pan with the beef. Sauté for another 3-4 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
3. Add the Seasonings: Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to evenly season the beef mixture.
4. Add BBQ Sauce: Pour in the BBQ sauce and mix it into the meat. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it’s well combined and the mixture is thickened slightly.

Step 4: Stuff the Peppers

1. Combine the Filling: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked beef mixture with the crumbled bacon and 1 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Stir until well mixed.
2. Stuff the Peppers: Carefully spoon the beef and bacon mixture into the prepared bell peppers. Press the mixture down gently to make sure they’re well packed. Fill the peppers to the top.
3. Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese (or mozzarella) over the stuffed peppers. This will give you that melty, cheeseburger-like topping once baked.

Step 5: Bake the Stuffed Peppers

1. Arrange in Baking Dish: Place the stuffed peppers standing upright in a baking dish or a large oven-safe pan. If you want to avoid them tipping over during baking, you can nestle them between layers of crumpled aluminum foil or use a muffin tin.
2. Bake: Bake the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly on top.

Step 6: Add Finishing Touches

1. Add Final Toppings: After removing the peppers from the oven, drizzle additional BBQ sauce over the top for extra flavor. If desired, you can also add pickles or a sprinkle of fresh parsley to garnish.

Step 7: Serve and Enjoy

Serve your BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers hot. These can be enjoyed on their own, or you can pair them with a side salad, fries, or a light coleslaw for a complete meal.

Tips for Success:

1. Choosing the Right Bell Peppers: When selecting bell peppers, try to choose peppers that are uniform in size and have flat bottoms so they stand up well in the baking dish. Red, yellow, or orange peppers tend to have a sweeter flavor compared to green peppers.
2. Meat Substitutes: You can use ground turkey, chicken, or even plant-based ground meat (like Impossible or Beyond) if you’re looking for a leaner or vegetarian option. Just make sure to season appropriately, as these alternatives might need a little extra seasoning to bring out flavor.
3. BBQ Sauce Flavor: Experiment with different BBQ sauces to suit your taste. Some sauces are sweet, others tangy or smoky. You can also make your own BBQ sauce at home using a mixture of ketchup, vinegar, brown sugar, and spices.
4. Cheese Choices: While cheddar is classic for cheeseburgers, feel free to experiment with other cheeses like Swiss, Monterey Jack, or pepper jack for added flavor and spice.
5. Add Veggies: Feel free to add some veggies to the meat mixture—finely chopped mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach would blend in nicely for extra nutrition and flavor.
6. Make it a Meal: To make this a complete meal, you can add a side of mashed potatoes, roasted vegetables, or even a light quinoa salad.
7. Freezing and Storing: Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To freeze, wrap each stuffed pepper in foil and place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 2 months. Reheat by baking at 350°F (175°C) for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Variations of the Recipe:

1. Spicy BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers: Add chopped jalapeños or a splash of hot sauce to the beef mixture to give it some heat. You can also use pepper jack cheese for an extra spicy kick.
2. Mushroom Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers: For an earthy twist, add finely chopped mushrooms to the beef mixture. Mushrooms add a meaty texture and extra flavor that complements the bacon and beef.
3. Cheeseburger Without the BBQ Sauce: If you’re not a fan of BBQ sauce, you can skip it altogether and instead use ketchup and mustard as the flavor base. Top the stuffed peppers with extra shredded cheese, and serve with fresh lettuce and tomato for a true cheeseburger experience.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

• Flavor Explosion: With the combination of crispy bacon, savory ground beef, melted cheese, and smoky BBQ sauce, each bite is packed with flavor.
• Low-Carb Option: These stuffed peppers give you all the cheeseburger goodness without the need for a bun, making them a great low-carb or gluten-free option.
• Customizable: Whether you like your burgers spicy, extra cheesy, or loaded with veggies, this recipe is easy to modify to suit your preferences.
• Make-Ahead Friendly: These stuffed peppers can be prepared ahead of time and baked later, or even frozen for future meals.
• Kid-Friendly: The familiar flavors of bacon, cheese, and BBQ will be a hit with both kids and adults alike, making this dish a family favorite.

I hope this BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers recipe provides you with all the details you need for a delicious and satisfying meal. Let me know if you have any questions or need further modifications! Enjoy!

Yield: 4

BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers Recipe

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BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Stuffed Peppers are a fun and flavorful twist on a classic burger. By stuffing bell peppers with all the components of a delicious cheeseburger—seasoned ground beef, crispy bacon, gooey cheese, and tangy BBQ sauce—this dish is a perfect low-carb, gluten-free option that will satisfy all your burger cravings without the bun.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 large bell peppers (red, yellow, or green)
• 1 lb ground beef (or ground turkey)
• 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled (about 4-6 slices)
• 1/2 cup BBQ sauce (your favorite brand or homemade)
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup diced red onion (optional)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
• Fresh parsley or chives, chopped (optional garnish)

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. If needed, trim the bottoms slightly so the peppers stand upright in the baking dish. Set them aside.
3. Cook the Ground Beef: In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the ground beef and cook until browned, breaking it up as it cooks (about 5-7 minutes). Drain any excess fat.
4. Flavor the Meat: Stir in the garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper. Add the cooked bacon and BBQ sauce, and stir everything together until well combined and heated through.
5. Stuff the Peppers: Spoon the BBQ bacon beef mixture into each bell pepper, packing it in tightly.
6. Top with Cheese: Place the stuffed peppers in a baking dish. Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese over the top of each stuffed pepper.
7. Bake: Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender. Then, remove the foil and bake for an additional 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
8. Serve: Once done, garnish with chopped parsley or chives for a fresh touch. Serve hot!

Notes

• Peppers: You can use different colors of bell peppers to add variety to the dish. Red, yellow, and orange peppers tend to be sweeter than green peppers.
• Cheese: Feel free to swap cheddar for another cheese, like Monterey Jack, mozzarella, or even a smoky gouda for extra flavor.
• Make Ahead: The stuffing mixture can be made a day ahead. Just stuff the peppers and bake them the next day.
• Vegetarian Option: For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground beef with a plant-based meat substitute or lentils.
• Topping Ideas: Add a dollop of sour cream, more BBQ sauce, or even sliced pickles on top for an extra twist.
• Side Dishes: Serve with a side of roasted potatoes, a simple salad, or some crispy onion rings for a complete meal!