Description
Tender banana pepper halves filled with a creamy mixture of cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and optional cooked beef, baked until bubbly and melty. A warm, cheesy appetizer or snack that’s quick and satisfying.
Ingredients
6 banana peppers, halved lengthwise and seeded
1 cup cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
½ cup crumbled cooked beef (optional)
Optional: finely sliced green onions
Garlic powder, salt, and black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 °F (190 °C) and line or grease a baking sheet.
- In a mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, crumbled cooked beef (if using), green onions (optional), garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
- Stuff each pepper half generously with the cheese mixture, pressing lightly to compact.
- Arrange peppers seam-side up on the baking sheet.
- Bake for 15–20 minutes until peppers are tender and cheese is melted and bubbling.
- Remove from oven and serve warm as an appetizer or side.
Notes
- Add chopped cooked bacon for smoky flavor.
- Increase heat with diced jalapeño or red pepper flakes in the filling.
- Stir in fresh herbs like chives or parsley for brightness.
- Substitute cheddar with pepper jack, Monterey Jack, or mozzarella.
- Omit beef for a vegetarian version; add sautéed mushrooms or spinach instead.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15–20 minutes
- Category: Appetizer / Snack
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 pepper half
- Calories: 140
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 220mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
