Taco Stuffed Peppers


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Slow Cooker Taco Stuffed Peppers are packed with a flavorful filling, cooked low and slow in salsa, and finished with melted cheese for an easy, satisfying dinner.

Five stuffed peppers in slow cooker with cheese on top.

Mexican Stuffed Peppers are an easy, flavorful way to switch up taco night! The peppers get perfectly tender while soaking up all the delicious taco flavored meatloaf. Let the slow cooker do the work for fuss-free meal the whole family will love.

If you love stuffed peppers also try my slow cooker stuffed pepper soup, or my classic crockpot stuffed peppers, which have more of a loose filling.

Key Ingredients

  • Bell peppers – Serve as the base and become tender as they cook.
  • Ground beef – Hearty and filling, perfect for stuffing.
  • Taco seasoning – Adds quick Mexican flavor.
  • Crushed saltines & minute rice – Help hold the filling together.
  • Sour cream & salsa – Keep the mixture moist
  • Cheddar cheese – Melted on top at the end
Close up of taco meatloaf stuffed peppers in slow cooker

How to make Taco Stuffed Peppers

  1. Prep the peppers and mix the filling ingredients in a bowl.
  2. Stuff the peppers with the beef mixture.
  3. Place in the slow cooker with salsa and let everything cook until tender.
  4. Top with cheese and let it melt before serving.

Variations

Here are my approved variations for this recipe:

  • Swap in ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option, but keep in mind it will have a different flavor profile.
  • Add a can of drained black or pinto beans to boost protein and texture.
  • Use tomatillo green salsa for a fresh, tangy twist that transforms the dish.
  • Replace the rice with cauliflower rice for a lower-carb, veggie-packed alternative.
Slow Cooker Taco Meat Loaf Stuffed Peppers in salsa with cheese on top

My Serving Suggestions:

Here is how I serve these easy stuffed peppers

  • My favorite toppings are sour cream and sliced green onions.
  • For sides, we love a green salad or homemade refried beans.
  • Still craving tortillas? You can serve these with warmed flour tortillas for an even more filling meal.
Taco stuffed peppers with melted cheese on top in a slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Taco Stuffed Peppers Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 hours
Total Time: 5 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 5
Slow Cooker Taco Stuffed Peppers are packed with seasoned beef, rice, and salsa, slow-cooked until tender, and topped with melty cheddar for a bold, Tex-Mex twist.
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How to Video

Ingredients 
 

The sauce for under the peppers:

  • 1 1/2 cup salsa

For the peppers

  • 1 lb. ground beef
  • 4-5 bell peppers, any colors (4 large sized or 5 medium)
  • 1/2 cup diced white onion
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup salsa
  • 1.25 oz. taco seasoning mix, (1 packet)
  • 15 saltine crackers, crushed
  • 1/2 cup minute rice, not cooked
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, add this on top at the end

Instructions 

  • Add the 1 1/2 cups salsa to the slow cooker.
  • Cut the tops off the peppers remove and discard the seeds. Don’t throw away the tops, chop up the top of the pepper and add to the meat loaf filling. In a medium sized bowl add the meat, diced tops from the bell peppers, onion, egg, sour cream, salsa, taco seasoning mix, crushed saltine crackers and rice. With clean hands mix the meat loaf ingredients together until just combined, don’t over mix.
  • Stuff the peppers with the meat loaf mixture.
  • Place the stuffed peppers on top of the salsa.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • After cooking time is done add a 1/4 cup of cheese to each pepper. Add the lid back on the slow cooker and let the cheese melt, it will only take a few minutes.
  • Serve and enjoy!

Sarah’s Notes

This is a great recipe to prep the night before. Stuff your peppers, then in the morning add the salsa to the slow cooker and your peppers.

Nutrition

Calories: 419kcal | Carbohydrates: 31g | Protein: 28g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 88mg | Sodium: 1519mg | Potassium: 827mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 4380IU | Vitamin C: 127.7mg | Calcium: 224mg | Iron: 4.4mg

Nutrition info is auto-generated. This information is an estimate; if you are on a special diet, please use your own calculations.

Made this recipe? Leave a comment below!

Other ground slow cooker beef recipes:

Slow Cooker Salisbury Steak and Lipton Onion Meatloaf are both classic comfort food dishes, packed with rich, savory flavors and perfect for a hearty meal.

Bold and zesty, Salsa Meatloaf and Slow Cooker Taco Meat bring a Tex-Mex twist to ground beef dishes, making them great for tacos, burritos, or easy dinners.

Beef and Potato Au Gratin layers tender beef with cheesy, creamy potatoes for a satisfying, stick-to-your-ribs meal.

Whether you’re feeding a crowd or just craving a cheesy dip, Texas Trash Bean Dip is a must-try, while Slow Cooker Hamburger Hash makes for an easy, comforting weeknight dinner.

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36 Comments

  1. Shannon says:

    Do you think I could put big slices of onion on top of the bell peppers??
    We ♥️ anything Mexican and crockpot!!
    I love that your recipes are made with “normal” ingredients/spices!!

    Many thanks~

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      That is a great idea. I can’t get enough onion in my food. lol

  2. Julie Crawford says:

    Hi Sarah!
    Am I able to substitute Spanish Rice in place of White Rice? Please advise. Thanks!

  3. Julie Crawford says:

    Hi Sarah!
    Could I make this with Spanish Rice instead of White Rice? Please Advise. Thanks!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      I’d say yes if it’s cooked. I don’t recommend standard uncooked rice in the slow cooker. Minute rice does greatZ

      1. Julie Crawford says:

        Great! Thanks!

  4. Elaine Sagman says:

    Just found your web page and I’m so glad! Your recipes are inspiring and look so yummy! THANK YOU!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      You’re so sweet Elaine!

  5. Umi says:

    So delish! Thanks for sharing!! My boys (big and small!) absolutely loved this dish. So easy too

  6. Rhonda says:

    This is the 3rd or 4th recipe I’ve made from you and I’ve enjoyed each one! My peepers are cooking now and they smell delicious!!!! Can’t wait! I love all your recipes!!!

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Hi Rhonda! So glad to have you following along and finding good recipes! 🙂

  7. Terri says:

    Thank you ! I have been looking for a recipe for stuffed peppers in the crock pot/slow cooker. This one certainly looks delicious !

  8. Grandma Kc says:

    I loved stuffed peppers but I would never have thought to fill them with taco meat! Thanks Sarah!

  9. Marty Wise says:

    This looks amazing. I will be trying this very soon. You are my new best friend. I love my slow cooker and this just inspires me to make more great dishes.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thank you Marty! 🙂

  10. Sharon Nelson says:

    Love your recipes, Sarah! Please keep them coming. I’m going to make this one next week.

    1. Sarah Olson says:

      Thank you Sharon! I think you’ll love these!

    2. Robin H says:

      Do you have this in a low fat and low sugar receipt?

      1. Sarah Olson says:

        I do not, you can adapt it to your diet.