Bacon Wrapped Jalapeno Poppers

Ingredients:

15–16 fresh jalapenos

1 lb ground beef

1 pkg (1 oz) Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix

2/3 cup water

4 tablespoons cream cheese, (softened)

1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

1/2 lb bacon (the amount you need will depend on the size of your peppers. You will need approximately 1 slice of bacon per pepper)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 375ºF.

Line a baking sheet with foil and set aside.

Cut the jalapeños in half lengthwise.

Remove the seeds and the ribs and discard.

Brown the ground beef in a large skillet.

Drain any grease if necessary.

Add the taco seasoning and 2/3 cup water and bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.

Place the cream cheese in a large bowl, then add the cooked taco meat.

Stir until combined.

Stir in the shredded cheese.

Fill each of the halved jalapeños with the taco meat, dividing evenly.

Cut the bacon in half. Wrap one of the half slices of bacon around each of the jalapeños.

Secure with a toothpick and place on the baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, or until the bacon is cooked through.

Crisp up under the broiler for a minute or two, if desired. Serve warm.

Enjoy!

Nutrition Information:

YIELD: 15 SERVING SIZE: 1

Frequently Asked Questions:

How do I handle jalapenos safely?

When cutting and handling jalapenos, you should wear gloves if possible, as the capsaicin can cause skin irritation or a burning sensation. Avoid touching your eyes or other sensitive areas during and after cutting the jalapenos.

My poppers are not crispy enough, what should I do?

If the bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like after the baking time is up, you can put the poppers under the broiler for a minute or two. Just be sure to watch them closely to prevent burning.

Can I make these bacon wrapped jalapeno poppers vegetarian?

Yes, you can replace the ground beef with a vegetarian substitute like plant-based ground meat, or you can simply omit the meat and use more cheese.

My bacon isn’t getting crispy, what should I do?

If your bacon isn’t as crispy as you’d like, try placing the poppers under the broiler for an additional 1-2 minutes. Watch them closely to ensure they don’t burn. If they still aren’t crispy, your bacon slices may be too thick. Next time, try using thinly sliced bacon.

What can I do if the jalapenos are too spicy?

The heat of a jalapeno is primarily in the seeds and ribs. Make sure to remove all the seeds and ribs if you prefer milder poppers. If they’re still too spicy, you could try a milder pepper like Anaheim or even mini bell peppers.