Name: Polenta Stuffed Peppers
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 55 min
Total time: 1 h 15 min
Yield: 6 Servings
Cuisine: Italian

Balancing Bowls Verified

January 30, 2026

Polenta stuffed bell peppers are a delicious and satisfying vegetarian main dish impressive enough to serve to company. The polenta stuffing is creamy and flavorful with a bit of cheese, garlic, and jalapeño. The bell peppers roast beautifully and are a striking vehicle for this baked polenta.

From the Cook

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Polenta Stuffed Peppers

Balancing Bowls Verified

Ingredients

WarningMilk and 6 other allergens identified

Instructions

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Instructions

Prep your bell peppers. Using a sharp paring knife, cut The top of the bell pepper off. (see the pictures) Use your hand and the paring knife to remove all the seeds and most of the white interior.

Place the empty bell peppers on a parchment paper line cooking sheet.

Slice the onions into half-inch thick discs and place them on the parchment paper with a drizzle of olive oil.

In a large bowl, combine the half-and-half, corn, eggs, garlic, thyme, cheese, salt, pepper, and anchovy paste.

Dice the jalapeños and add them to the mixture with the instant polenta.

Fill the peppers with the polenta and place the pepper caps on top. Roast for 30 minutes at 400°.

Remove the bell pepper tops and set aside. Sprinkle ½ tablespoon of the shredded cheese on top of each pepper.

Finally, cook for another 20 to 25 minutes or until the filling is firm and the cheese is slightly browned on top.

Use the ½ cup of cilantro at the very end as a garnish. Sprinkle it over the peppers after they have finished baking and come out of the oven.

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Tips & Tricks (5)

Polenta Perfection 🥣
Whisk instant polenta continuously while cooking to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, creamy texture that will hold its shape when stuffed into peppers.
Pepper Prep Pro 🫑
Choose bell peppers with flat bottoms that can stand upright, and carefully slice off the tops to create a stable base for stuffing and even roasting.
Flavor Layering Technique 🧄
Toast garlic and jalapeños in olive oil before adding to the polenta to intensify their flavors and create a more complex, depth-rich stuffing.
Cheese Melting Magic 🧀
Mix half of the shredded cheese into the polenta and reserve the other half for topping, creating a creamy interior and a beautifully golden, crispy cheese crust.
Moisture Control Hack 💧
Add a splash of half and half to the polenta mixture to ensure a luxuriously creamy texture that won't dry out during baking.

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About the Cook

Balancing Bowls

I'm Nora! Balancing Bowls is the product of a slightly chaotic life, a need to make and grow things, and a love of creative cooking. If you're here because you're trying to feed your family well without losing your mind, you're in the right place.