2Medium~8 inch tortillas for ‘taco pizza’ appetizer if desired
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and lightly grease or line with foil a tall sided baking dish where the peppers are able to stand upright an 8-inch square (2-quart) glass baking dish is what I used
Slice the olives and tomatoes and set aside
Remove the tops and stems of the peppers, but cut away the remaining good pepper flesh from around the stem and dice, this will be sauteed with the onion to put in the pepper stuffing
Peel the onion and finely dice
In a medium saute pan saute the peppers and onion with a bit of olive oil
When the peppers are nearly finished add in the tomatoes and cook until just blistered and peppers and onions are slightly translucent and well done
When done remove the pepper and onion mixture from the pan, set aside and clean out the pan
In the same pan cook the beef over medium heat 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until beef is browned
Drain the beef and return to pan, add in the seasoning packet and ¾ cup of water
Let sauce combine with meat and add in the pepper and onion mixture and olives
Turn off the heat and set aside
Next, make the cheese sauce. In a small saucepan over medium heat melt the butter and add in your tablespoon of flour
Slowly add in your milk ¼ cup at a time, stirring with a whisk. Bring to a simmer and the mixture should thicken.
Reduce heat to low and stir in cheese until it melts and remove from heat
Now it's time to stuff the peppers
Stand the peppers up in your prepared baking dish
First add a layer of meat and then follow with a bit of cheese sauce
Finish filling the peppers with a bit of the sauce on top
You should have some leftover filling and cheese sauce, you can save this, or make ‘taco pizza’ appetizers to go with your peppers. Simply split the remaining filling between the tortillas and top with the remaining cheese sauce. Place on a foil lined or lightly greased baking dish and set aside to be prepared just before the peppers finish baking.
Before placing in the oven cover the peppers with foil so they do not dry out or burn. The foil will be removed for the final 10 minutes of cooking
Bake the peppers in the oven for about 30 minutes or until they are almost done, this will depend on the size of your peppers. Remove the foil and allow the peppers to cook for another 10 to 15 minutes until tender and cheese is melty. If you are making the ‘taco pizza’ appetizers place them in the oven at this time as well. Allow them to cook until tortillas are crispy and cheese is melty.
Remove both from the oven and allow to cool slightly
Slice ‘pizzas’ and serve both with desired toppings; sour cream, chives, hot sauce, or guacamole if you’re lucky!