Cheese Stuffed Peppers

Name: Cheese Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 bell pepper; 1/2 to 3/4 cup cottage cheese; 1-2 oz. feta cheese, crumbled; Trader Joe’s everything but the bagel seasoning, to taste; elote seasoning or chili lime seasoning, to taste

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These Cheese Stuffed Peppers are low carb, have plenty of protein, and are super filling! The best part? They taste like a million bucks. Who knew something so healthy could taste so good?

Cheese stuffed peppers on a wooden cutting board with seasoning.

The Perfect Healthy Appetizer

Low-carb, healthy eating literally couldn’t get any easier or more delicious than this cheese stuffed peppers recipe! With a combination of crunchy peppers, creamy-rich cottage and feta cheeses, and Trader Joe’s signature seasoning, these peppers are the perfect appetizer or snack.

Not only that, this quick meal requires minimal preparation time and can easily be made in advance — perfect for busy weekdays or last-minute entertaining. It’ll also keep you full for hours, all while providing your body with healthy protein and carbs. What more could you ask for?

A slice of cheese stuffed peppers on a wooden surface with seasoning.

Why You’ll Love It

A delicious dish or snack that’s ready in minutes.
It’s low-carb, paleo, and vegetarian-friendly.
Keeps you full and satisfied for hours.
Easy to customize and make ahead of time or for meal prep.

Health Benefits of Cottage Cheese

According to Healthline, cottage cheese is a great source of complete protein, calcium, and probiotics — all essential elements for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It’s also low in calories and rich in phosphorus, which helps to build strong bones and teeth. Plus, it has a creamy-rich texture that adds flavor and creaminess to any dish!

Studies suggest that including cottage cheese in your diet can help increase muscle mass, promote weight loss, and reduce the risk of heart disease. So, not only is this a delicious meal, but it’s also incredibly healthy!

Made with 5 Simple Ingredients

Bell Peppers: I used a red bell pepper for this recipe, but you’re welcome to use any kind of pepper you like!
Cottage Cheese: The perfect low-carb, high-protein cheese that adds a creamy-rich texture to the peppers.
Feta Cheese: Adds a delicious tangy flavor that takes everything up a notch.
Trader Joe’s Everything But the Bagel Seasoning: This seasoning is my absolute favorite and adds an even better flavor to the peppers.
Trader Joe’s Everything But the Elote Seasoning: Another great seasoning option that takes the peppers to the next level.

Substitutions

Bell Peppers: You can sub out the red peppers for sweet peppers, mini bell peppers, jalapeno peppers, or any of your favorite peppers. My favorite is nardello peppers, if you can find them!

Cottage Cheese: Ricotta cheese is an excellent replacement for cottage cheese. You could also do a cold cream cheese filling if you so desire.

Feta Cheese: Goat cheese or shredded cheese like pepper jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, cheddar cheese, and colby jack cheese are great alternatives to feta cheese. Play around with this recipe, and feel free to adapt it with your favorite cheese!

Seasoning: I am also obsessed with the way chile lime seasoning tastes on these cheese stuffed peppers. Try it out if you’d like! Or use your favorite seasoning blend instead.

How to Make Cheese Stuffed Peppers

The steps are simple, and I’m outlining them below but be sure to scroll to the bottom of the page to view the full, printable recipe card. You can also check out this recipe on my Instagram reel!

A serving of cheese stuffed peppers with seasoning on a wooden cutting board.

STEP 1 – CUT PEPPER

Rinse your bell pepper and cut it into quarters, removing the insides and seeds.

STEP 2 – ADD CHEESE

Next, fill each pepper quarter with cottage cheese. Then crumble up some feta cheese over the top.

Ingredients for cheese stuffed peppers on a wooden cutting board.

Cheese stuffed peppers on a wooden cutting board without seasoning.

STEP 3 – SEASON

Sprinkle Trader Joe’s “Everything But the Bagel” seasoning on top. To kick it up a notch, finish with Trader Joe’s “Everything But the Elote” seasoning.

STEP 4 – SERVE & ENJOY

Now it’s time to devour! Enjoy your cheese-stuffed peppers on their own or as a delicious appetizer.

ENJOY!

FAQ

What’s the best way to cut peppers for this recipe?

Everyone has their own method for prepping bell peppers, but the most efficient way to serve your cheese-stuffed peppers is by cutting them into quarters.

Start by laying the pepper on its side and slicing through the center. Pull out all of the seeds and discard them, then proceed to cut each half lengthwise so that you have four pieces. You now have the perfect little boats for your cottage cheese filling!

Is cottage cheese good for you if you have high cholesterol?

Cottage cheese can be an excellent dietary choice for people with high cholesterol. It’s not only low in cholesterol but makes a delicious substitution for higher-fat cheeses like cheddar or mozzarella in many recipes.

Cheese stuffed peppers on a black plate with seasoning.

How long can these cheese-stuffed peppers sit out for?

Soft cheeses like feta and cottage cheese can be left out for up to one hour before being stored in the refrigerator. Anything longer than that and the cheese can start to spoil, cause bacteria growth, and become hazardous to eat.

Can I bake these cheese-stuffed peppers?

Absolutely! Just know that the nutritional value of the peppers will change due to the cooking process. To bake, simply preheat your oven to 375°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the peppers onto the sheet, making sure that they don’t touch each other. Bake for 10-15 minutes (or until tender/done to your liking), and enjoy your great appetizer!

Storage

Store any leftover cheese stuffed peppers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days.

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Yield: 1 serving