Kamil Perry
Cheddar cheese stuffed Anaheim peppers are a delicious and simple meal with loads of flavour and a hint of heat. They are perfect for those who want a stuffed pepper with less spice than the classic jalapeno popper. This dish is extremely versatile, as the peppers can be baked, roasted, grilled, or cooked in a slow cooker, and can be stuffed with any number of ingredients, from meat to grains to vegetables. They can also be made ahead of time and frozen, making them a convenient option for busy days.
Cheddar Cheese-Stuffed Anaheim Peppers Characteristics and Values
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Dish | Appetizer, finger food, main course |
| Cuisine | Mexican, Southwestern, Cajun |
| Diet | Vegetarian, non-vegetarian |
| Ingredients | Anaheim peppers, cheddar cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, bacon, ground beef, ground turkey, chicken, onion, garlic, salsa, chilli powder, cumin, salt, pepper, cilantro, olive oil, etc. |
| Cooking Methods | Baking, grilling, broiling, roasting |
| Cooking Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Calories | 401 kcal |
| Nutrition | Carbohydrates: 32g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 25g, Saturated Fat: 14g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 71mg, Sodium: 961mg, Potassium: 541mg, Fiber: 8g, Sugar: 7g, Vitamin A: 1172IU, Vitamin C: 13mg, Calcium: 276mg, Iron: 2mg |
| Serving Suggestions | Sour cream, salsa, guacamole, salad, chips, crackers |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days |
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What You'll Learn
Preparing the peppers
Some recipes call for the peppers to be blistered before stuffing. To do this, place the chilis on the flame of a gas stove burner and turn them until they are blistered. You can also use a broiler for this step. Simply broil the chilis for several minutes, turning them occasionally. Once they are blistered, place them in a plastic bag and let them steam for about 10 minutes. After this, you can peel the chilis, and the blistered skin will come off easily.
For a different presentation, you can cut the peppers into thin slices with a sharp knife and serve them as finger food on crackers. If you want to serve them this way, you will need to chill the peppers for a few hours so that the cheese sets well enough to slice neatly.
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Making the filling
To make the filling for cheddar cheese-stuffed Anaheim peppers, you'll first need to prepare the peppers themselves. Start by cutting off the top of the peppers, then cut them in half lengthwise. Remove the stems and seeds, and place the pepper halves on a baking sheet. If you want to avoid the oven altogether, you can also use a gas grill or a foil-lined broiler pan with a cooling rack.
For the filling, you can use a variety of ingredients, depending on your preference. Here are some options:
Option 1: Meat and Veggies
In a skillet, heat some oil over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. You can also add ground meat (beef, turkey, or chicken) to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in salsa, chilli powder, cumin, salt, and pepper, combining well. This mixture will serve as your filling.
Option 2: Beans and Corn
In a medium-sized bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, corn, onion, black beans, salsa, hot sauce, and any desired spices. You can also add in some chopped fresh cilantro. This mixture will be your filling.
Option 3: Cream Cheese and Feta
In a bowl, combine cream cheese and feta cheese. You can use a food processor to mix them well. Season with pepper and add chopped herbs of your choice. If you like spice, you can add chopped chili peppers. This mixture will be your filling.
Once you've made your filling, it's time to stuff the peppers. Fill each pepper half with the filling of your choice, dividing the mixture evenly among the peppers. Top the peppers with any remaining cheese and place them in the oven or on the grill. Bake or grill until the peppers are softened and the cheese is melted and golden brown.
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Stuffing the peppers
To make cheddar cheese-stuffed Anaheim peppers, you'll first need to prepare the peppers by cutting off the tops and cutting them in half lengthwise. From there, remove the stems and seeds. If you want to avoid the pepper stuffing process, you can also slice the peppers open on one side, without cutting all the way through, and carefully scrape out the seeds.
For a charred and blistered skin, you can place the peppers directly on the flame of a gas stove burner, turning them until blistered. You can also achieve this using a broiler. After several minutes of blistering, place the peppers in a plastic bag to steam for about 10 minutes. Once they've cooled, the skins can be easily peeled and discarded.
For the stuffing, you can mix together shredded cheddar cheese, cream cheese, feta cheese, onion, red pepper, jalapeno, garlic, salt, black pepper, chilli powder, and hot sauce. You can also add ground beef, ground turkey, or chicken to the mixture for a heartier dish. If you opt for meat, cook it in a skillet over medium-high heat until it's browned and no longer pink. Combine the meat with the spices and cheese mixture.
Once your filling is ready, use a spoon to fill each pepper half with the mixture, dividing it evenly among the peppers. You can also tap the peppers on a cutting board to pack the filling in tightly. Top the peppers with any remaining cheese and place them in a baking dish.
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Baking the peppers
Next, place the pepper halves on a baking sheet, cut-side up. If you're wrapping your peppers in bacon, you can place a cooling rack at the bottom of the baking pan and set the peppers on top. Fill the peppers with your desired filling, such as ground beef, turkey, or chicken, and top with cheese. You can also add meat to your filling if desired. If you're making a vegetarian option, stuff the peppers with a mixture of black beans, corn, cream cheese, and shredded cheddar cheese.
Once the peppers are filled, place them in the oven and bake until the cheese is melted and golden brown, and the peppers are tender and softened but not mushy. The baking time can vary depending on your desired level of doneness for the peppers. Some recipes suggest baking for 15 minutes, while others recommend 20-25 minutes, flipping the peppers once through. For a charred and puffy skin, you can bake them for a longer period. If you're wrapping your peppers in bacon, bake them until the bacon is cooked.
After removing the peppers from the oven, let them cool slightly before serving. You can serve them with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a tossed salad on the side. Enjoy your delicious and cheesy stuffed Anaheim peppers!
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Serving suggestions
There are many ways to serve cheddar cheese-stuffed Anaheim peppers. They can be served as a main course, a side dish, or even as an appetizer. Here are some serving suggestions:
Main Course
Stuffed Anaheim peppers can be a hearty and satisfying main course. They pair well with various proteins, such as ground beef, ground turkey, shredded chicken, or seasoned chicken. For a vegetarian option, you can stuff the peppers with black beans, corn, and grains. Serve them with a side of rice, bread, or tortillas to soak up all the delicious flavours.
Side Dish
These peppers also make a great side dish. Try serving them alongside grilled meats, such as chicken or steak. They can also be a tasty addition to a burger or sandwich. For a lighter option, pair them with a tossed salad or some chips and salsa.
Appetizer
For a tasty starter or appetizer, serve the stuffed peppers in smaller portions. They can be cut into bite-sized pieces or served as halves. Offer a variety of dips on the side, such as sour cream, guacamole, or additional shredded cheddar cheese.
Other Suggestions
- If you have any leftovers, chop them up and serve them over rice or inside a taco shell.
- For a fun twist, wrap the stuffed peppers with bacon before baking for added flavour and texture.
- For a spicier kick, add some hotter chopped peppers, chili flakes, or powders to the stuffing mixture.
- If you're short on time, prepare and freeze the unbaked stuffed peppers, then thaw and bake them when needed.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cook cheddar cheese-stuffed Anaheim peppers. You can bake them in the oven, or cook them on a grill or gas grill.
Baking the peppers in the oven typically takes 15-20 minutes, but you can also broil them for 6-7 minutes. If you're grilling them, they should take around 15 minutes.
If you're baking the peppers, heat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Start by washing the peppers and slicing them open on one side. Carefully remove the seeds, then fill the peppers with your chosen mixture of cheese and other ingredients.
These peppers go well with sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a tossed salad on the side. They also make a great appetizer or finger food when sliced and served on crackers.
