Macaroni and Cheese Stuffed Peppers Recipe
This Macaroni and Cheese Stuffed Peppers recipe combines creamy, cheesy macaroni with sweet bell peppers for a comforting and flavorful meal. The macaroni is cooked and mixed with a smooth cheese sauce made from cream cheese, cheddar, milk, and seasonings before being stuffed into hollowed bell peppers. Topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs and baked to golden perfection, this dish offers a delicious twist on traditional mac and cheese in a vibrant, colorful presentation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Pasta
- 1 lb. elbow macaroni noodles
Stuffed Peppers
- 6 bell peppers
- 6 tsp. panko bread crumbs
- Baking spray
Cheese Sauce
- 8 oz. cream cheese (⅓ fat cream cheese works fine)
- 8 oz. cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2 cups milk
- 1 tsp. dijon mustard
- ½ tsp. salt
- Pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 450ºF to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Cook Macaroni: Boil the elbow macaroni noodles according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain well.
- Prepare Peppers: While pasta cooks, cut the bell peppers either in halves from the stem through the bottom and remove seeds, or cut off the stem end and de-seed the peppers. Arrange them cut-side-up on a large rimmed baking sheet.
- Make Cheese Sauce: In a microwave-safe bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and milk. Microwave in 1-minute increments, stirring between each, for a total of 3-5 minutes until the sauce is smooth and creamy without large cream cheese chunks. Afterwards, whisk in dijon mustard, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper if desired.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Pour the cheese sauce over the drained macaroni noodles and stir well. Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Stuff Peppers: Spoon the macaroni and cheese mixture into the prepared bell peppers evenly.
- Add Topping: Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over the filled peppers and lightly spray the tops with baking spray to help with browning.
- Bake: Place the stuffed peppers in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, the filling is hot and bubbly, and the peppers reach your desired tenderness.
Notes
- You can customize the cheese blend by using a combination of sharp cheddar and mozzarella for added stretchiness.
- If you prefer softer peppers, bake for the full 25 minutes; for a crisper bite, reduce baking time slightly.
- Use low-fat cream cheese to reduce calories if desired; the sauce may be a little less creamy.
- This dish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated before baking; just extend baking time slightly if baking from cold.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute panko breadcrumbs with gluten-free breadcrumbs or crushed gluten-free crackers.
Keywords: macaroni and cheese stuffed peppers, baked stuffed peppers, cheesy stuffed peppers, comfort food, easy dinner recipe
