Protein Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers

These Protein Stuffed Mini Bell Peppers are a crunchy, high-protein snack, appetizer, or easy side dish. The creamy cottage cheese filling pairs well with the sweet peppers—and it may even win over family members who usually avoid cottage cheese or raw bell peppers.

A QUICK NOTE

This is a flexible, no-measure recipe. Start with a small amount of taco seasoning, blend, and adjust to taste. Make only as much filling as you need, and use any leftover filling as a dip for other vegetables.

NO COOKING REQUIRED

Serve chilled or at room temperature

INGREDIENTS

• Low-fat cottage cheese, as needed

• Low-sodium taco seasoning, to taste

• Canned diced green chiles, drained, to taste

• Shredded cheddar or Mexican-blend cheese, for topping

• Mini bell peppers, halved and seeded

OPTIONAL ADD-INS

• Buffalo sauce or hot sauce

• Red pepper flakes, for extra heat

• Whole bell peppers or other fresh vegetables, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Add the cottage cheese and a small amount of taco seasoning to a blender. Blend until smooth, then taste and add more seasoning if needed.

2. Stir in the diced green chiles. Add buffalo sauce or hot sauce, if desired.

3. Slice the mini bell peppers in half lengthwise and remove the seeds.

4. Spoon the cottage cheese mixture into each pepper half.

5. Sprinkle with shredded cheese and red pepper flakes, if desired.

6. Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to enjoy. Use any extra filling as a dip for other vegetables.