Description
Slow Cooker Taco Stuffed Peppers are a delicious and easy-to-make meal combining the flavors of seasoned ground beef, rice, and salsa stuffed inside tender bell peppers. This recipe uses a slow cooker for a hands-off approach, resulting in perfectly cooked stuffed peppers with melted cheddar cheese on top, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Filling
- 1 lb. ground beef
- Diced tops from 4-5 bell peppers (seeds removed)
- 1/2 cup diced white onion
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 1/4 cup salsa
- 1.25 oz. taco seasoning mix (1 packet)
- 15 saltine crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup uncooked minute rice
Other Ingredients
- 4–5 bell peppers (4 large or 5 medium, any colors)
- 1 1/2 cup salsa (for the slow cooker base)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the slow cooker base: Add 1 1/2 cups salsa into the slow cooker and spread it evenly to create a flavorful base for the peppers to cook on.
- Prepare the peppers: Cut the tops off the bell peppers, remove and discard the seeds. Chop the tops finely to add to the meat filling.
- Mix the filling: In a medium bowl, combine the ground beef, chopped pepper tops, diced onion, egg, sour cream, 1/4 cup salsa, taco seasoning mix, crushed saltine crackers, and uncooked minute rice. Gently mix with clean hands until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Stuff the peppers: Carefully fill each hollowed bell pepper with the meat mixture, packing it well but not overflowing.
- Arrange in slow cooker: Place the stuffed peppers upright on top of the salsa base in the slow cooker, fitting them snugly.
- Slow cook: Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours, avoiding opening the lid during this time to keep the temperature consistent.
- Add cheese topping: Once cooking is complete, sprinkle about 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese on top of each pepper. Place the lid back on and let the cheese melt for a few minutes.
- Serve: Once the cheese is melted, serve the peppers hot and enjoy your hearty taco-stuffed slow cooker meal.
Notes
- You can substitute ground turkey or chicken for a leaner protein option.
- If you prefer spicy, add chopped jalapeños or increase the taco seasoning amount.
- Minute rice is used uncooked as it will cook inside the slow cooker; do not pre-cook.
- Use different colored bell peppers for a vibrant presentation.
- Leftovers keep well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat nicely in the microwave or oven.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Slow Cooking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: slow cooker stuffed peppers, taco stuffed peppers, easy slow cooker recipes, ground beef stuffed peppers, crockpot stuffed peppers, taco seasoning, weeknight dinner
