Mini Bell Peppers with Cottage Cheese

• Bell peppers provide carotenoids that may support eye health. 
• This recipe comes together in just 15 minutes, making it a quick snack or appetizer option.
• Cottage cheese adds protein and calcium to support strong bones.

These Mini Bell Peppers with Cottage Cheese are easy to make when you need a quick snack or party appetizer. Cottage cheese adds protein and gets blended with lemon juice for a bright, savory filling. Bell peppers provide a nice crunch to contrast with the creamy filling, while also contributing nutrients that can reduce inflammation. You can easily make these cottage cheese–stuffed mini peppers your own by adding chopped fresh herbs to the filling, or toss some toasted nuts or chickpeas on top for a little added crunch. Read on for our best tips and tricks for making these delicious stuffed peppers at home!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

• Be sure to remove any seeds from the mini pepper halves, as the seeds can be bitter. No need to trim the stem—it adds visual appeal and works perfectly as a handle.
• For the best flavor, grate Parmesan cheese fresh from a block. It tends to be more flavorful than pre-grated cheese. Parmesan can be made with animal rennet, so if you’re following a vegetarian diet, look for Parmesan labeled as vegetarian.

Nutrition Notes

• Cottage cheese is packed with protein, an important nutrient that can help with weight loss, muscle maintenance and more. It’s also loaded with calcium to support bone health. Some cottage cheese brands also contain probiotics to support healthy bacteria in the gut, but be sure to check the label as not all brands offer this.
• Mini bell peppers have all of the same nutrients as regular bell peppers, but in a smaller quantity. Bell peppers contain carotenoids, including zeaxanthin and lutein, that may support eye health. They’re also high in phytochemicals and nutrients that can help reduce inflammation in the body. In turn, lowering inflammation may also reduce risk of chronic conditions like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Hannah Greenwood.