Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Stuffed poblano peppers are the kind of dish that makes you want to slow down and savor every bite. With their smoky flavor and just-right heat, poblanos are the perfect vessel for a hearty filling of rice, beans, cheese, and spices. This dish comes together beautifully whether you’re aiming for a meatless weeknight dinner or something special for guests that still feels casual and comforting.
Once roasted, poblano peppers become incredibly tender with a mellow heat that plays perfectly with bold Mexican-inspired flavors. The filling is warm and savory, with gooey cheese and zesty aromatics tucked into every scoop. It bakes up bubbly, golden, and irresistibly good.
Why You’ll Love This Stuffed Poblano Peppers Recipe
This recipe checks every box for a satisfying dinner. It’s cozy but not heavy, full of flavor, and adaptable to what you have on hand. It can be prepped in advance, making it a fantastic option for busy weeknights or a low-effort weekend meal. Whether you’re feeding vegetarians or meat lovers, you can easily adjust the filling to suit your needs.
What Kind of Poblano Peppers Should I Use?
Look for fresh poblanos that are firm and glossy, with a deep green color and minimal blemishes. Larger peppers are ideal because they’re easier to stuff and hold their shape better during roasting. You can also use the same method with Anaheim or bell peppers if poblanos aren’t available, though you’ll miss that signature smoky bite.
Ingredients for the Stuffed Poblano Peppers
The ingredients in this recipe are simple, but each plays an important role in flavor and texture.
- Poblano Peppers
- Cooked Rice
- Black Beans
- Corn Kernels
- Shredded Cheese
- Onion
- Garlic
- Tomato Paste
- Cumin & Chili Powder
- Salt & Pepper
- Olive Oil
- Fresh Cilantro

How To Make the Stuffed Poblano Peppers
Step 1: Roast the Poblanos
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Place the whole poblano peppers on a baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, flipping once, until the skins are blistered. Transfer them to a covered bowl to steam for 10 minutes. Once cool enough to handle, peel off the skin and make a slit down the center to remove the seeds.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a skillet over medium heat, sauté chopped onion in olive oil until translucent. Add minced garlic, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder, and stir for a minute. Mix in cooked rice, black beans, corn, salt, and pepper. Stir until heated through, then remove from heat and fold in shredded cheese and chopped cilantro.
Step 3: Stuff and Bake
Spoon the filling into each poblano pepper and place them in a baking dish. Sprinkle extra cheese on top. Bake at 375°F for 15-20 minutes until bubbly and golden.
How to Serve and Store Stuffed Poblano Peppers
These stuffed poblano peppers are best served hot out of the oven, garnished with more cilantro or a squeeze of lime. They feed about four people generously, depending on the size of your peppers and sides. You can store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until warm.
What to Serve With Stuffed Poblano Peppers?
Mexican Street Corn Salad
Creamy, tangy, and full of spice, this salad is the ultimate sidekick.
Cilantro Lime Rice
Double down on freshness with this zesty grain.
Guacamole and Chips
A classic pairing that’s always welcome.
Spicy Mango Salsa
Adds sweet heat and color to your plate.
Sautéed Greens
Balance the richness with wilted spinach or kale.
Refried Beans
Smooth and savory, they round out the meal perfectly.
Tortilla Soup
A warm and cozy starter that pairs naturally with the flavors here.
Roasted Sweet Potatoes
They add natural sweetness that complements the poblanos.
Want More Dinner Ideas with a Twist?
If you love these stuffed poblano peppers, you’ll probably enjoy these other savory recipes:
- Easy Chicken Fried Rice
- Pepperoni Pizza Grilled Cheese
- Delicious Garlic Sausage Alfredo Rigatoni
- Crispy and Delicious Easy Chinese Egg Rolls
- Creamy Mushroom Sauce for Steak
Save This Recipe For Later
📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dinner board so you can come back to it any time.
And let me know in the comments how yours turned out. Did you add ground beef or keep it vegetarian? Did you sneak in some quinoa?
I love hearing how others make these recipes their own. Questions are welcome too – let’s help each other cook smarter.
Explore beautifully curated health-boosting dinners on Luna Meals on Pinterest and discover your next favorite dish.
Conclusion
Stuffed poblano peppers are the kind of meal that feels like a little celebration. They’re filled with flavor, satisfying, and offer a balanced plate in one beautiful bite. Whether you’re new to cooking with poblanos or already a fan, this recipe will quickly become a go-to in your kitchen.

Stuffed Poblano Peppers
- Total Time: 65 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Stuffed Poblano Peppers are a delicious vegetarian dinner made with roasted poblano peppers filled with rice, beans, cheese, and bold spices. This healthy Mexican-inspired dish is perfect for meal prep or easy weeknight dinners. Great flavor, easy to customize, and absolutely comforting.
Ingredients
4 large poblano peppers
2 cups cooked rice
1 can black beans, drained
1 cup corn kernels
1 and 1/2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar or Mexican blend)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400°F and place whole poblanos on a baking sheet. Roast for 20–25 minutes, flipping once, until skins blister.
2. Transfer roasted poblanos to a bowl, cover to steam 10 minutes. Once cooled, peel the skins and make a slit to remove seeds.
3. In a skillet, heat olive oil over medium and sauté onion until soft. Add garlic, tomato paste, cumin, chili powder and cook for 1 minute.
4. Stir in cooked rice, black beans, corn, salt, and pepper. Heat through and remove from heat. Fold in 1 cup cheese and cilantro.
5. Stuff each pepper with the filling and place in a baking dish. Top with remaining cheese.
6. Bake at 375°F for 15–20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve with lime or extra cilantro if desired.
Notes
Use larger poblanos for easier stuffing.
You can prep the filling up to 2 days in advance.
Swap rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice for a twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 340
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 480mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 12g
- Cholesterol: 25mg


