# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Bell Peppers
01 - 4 large bell peppers, any color, tops removed and seeds cleaned
→ Taco Filling
02 - 1.1 lb ground beef (80/20 blend)
03 - 1 small onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 medium tomato, diced
06 - 1 tablespoon tomato paste
07 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
08 - 1 teaspoon chili powder
09 - 0.5 teaspoon smoked paprika
10 - 0.5 teaspoon dried oregano
11 - 0.5 teaspoon salt
12 - 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
13 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
→ Cheese and Garnish
14 - 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
15 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
16 - 2 tablespoons scallions, sliced
17 - Sour cream for serving
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to accommodate all bell peppers standing upright.
02 - Slice off pepper tops and remove seeds. Trim bases as needed to ensure peppers stand upright. Arrange in prepared baking dish.
03 - Heat olive oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, sauté 2-3 minutes until softened and fragrant.
04 - Add ground beef to skillet, breaking apart while cooking. Cook 6-8 minutes until fully browned. Drain excess fat if necessary.
05 - Stir in diced tomato, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, salt, and pepper. Simmer 3-4 minutes until flavors meld and mixture slightly thickens.
06 - Divide taco beef mixture evenly among hollowed bell peppers, packing gently to fill completely.
07 - Sprinkle shredded cheddar cheese generously over top of each stuffed pepper.
08 - Cover baking dish loosely with aluminum foil. Bake 20 minutes in preheated 375°F oven.
09 - Remove foil and bake additional 10 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbly.
10 - Remove from oven. Top with fresh cilantro and scallions if desired. Serve hot with sour cream on the side.