If you love the flavors of a hearty meat-lovers pizza but want to switch things up, these Meat Lovers Pizza Stuffed Peppers are the perfect fusion dish. Combining all the rich, savory ingredients of a pizza—Italian sausage, bacon, pepperoni, and mozzarella—with the freshness of bell peppers, this recipe is both satisfying and fun to make. The bell peppers serve as the perfect vessel, providing a healthy base while soaking up all the flavorful pizza toppings. Whether you’re craving comfort food or looking for a new family-friendly dinner idea, this dish offers a low-carb, veggie-packed alternative to your favorite pizza night!
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 pound Italian sausage, casings removed
- 1 small onion, diced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped (optional)
- 4 ounces pepperoni, sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives, sliced (optional)
- 2 cups pizza sauce (or marinara sauce)
- 4 large bell peppers, sliced in half and cleaned of seeds.
- 2 cups mozzarella, shredded
Instructions:
- Cook the Bacon and Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving the grease in the skillet. In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. If using, add the diced onion and chopped garlic during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Prepare the Filling: Once the sausage is cooked, mix in the pepperoni slices, cooked bacon, and optional black olives. Stir in the pizza sauce and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the halved bell peppers in a large baking dish, cut side up. Fill each half of the bell peppers with the meat and sauce mixture, ensuring they are well-packed.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers.
- Bake the Stuffed Peppers: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the peppers cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these stuffed peppers as a delicious, pizza-inspired meal!
Conclusion:
These Meat Lovers Pizza Stuffed Peppers are the perfect way to enjoy all the indulgent flavors of pizza in a lighter, veggie-filled form. The combination of crispy bacon, spicy Italian sausage, savory pepperoni, and gooey mozzarella makes for an irresistible filling, while the bell peppers add a refreshing crunch. Whether you’re hosting a dinner party or simply looking for a new weeknight favorite, this dish is sure to be a hit with pizza lovers and pepper enthusiasts alike!
Meat Lovers Pizza Stuffed Peppers: A Flavor-Packed Twist on Classic Comfort Food
Ingredients
- 4 ounces bacon cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 pound Italian sausage casings removed
- 1 small onion diced (optional)
- 2 cloves garlic chopped (optional)
- 4 ounces pepperoni sliced
- 1/4 cup black olives sliced (optional)
- 2 cups pizza sauce or marinara sauce
- 4 large bell peppers sliced in half and cleaned of seeds.
- 2 cups mozzarella shredded
Instructions
- Cook the Bacon and Sausage: In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon pieces until crispy, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the bacon and drain on paper towels, leaving the grease in the skillet. In the same skillet, add the Italian sausage and cook until browned, breaking it into small pieces with a spatula. If using, add the diced onion and chopped garlic during the last 2-3 minutes of cooking. Drain excess grease if necessary.
- Prepare the Filling: Once the sausage is cooked, mix in the pepperoni slices, cooked bacon, and optional black olives. Stir in the pizza sauce and cook for another 2 minutes until heated through. Remove from heat.
- Prepare the Bell Peppers: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the halved bell peppers in a large baking dish, cut side up. Fill each half of the bell peppers with the meat and sauce mixture, ensuring they are well-packed.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the stuffed peppers.
- Bake the Stuffed Peppers: Place the dish in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and let the peppers cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these stuffed peppers as a delicious, pizza-inspired meal!