Stuffed Bell Peppers [Vegetarian]
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Stuffed Bell Peppers [Vegetarian]
Get ready to dig into these Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers! They're filled to the brim with seasoned quinoa + brown rice, boasting a garlic kick, and topped with gooey, golden mozzarella cheese. But wait, there's more – they're crowned with a zesty kick from lemony herb olive oil tomatoes. These peppers are the ultimate meatless treat, brimming with a fresh taste that makes them a must-have dish year-round. Completely Gluten-free. Vegan Option.
Stuffed peppers? They're like little bundles of joy on a plate, right? Surprisingly, I'd never given them a shot until now. But hey, it's time for a change! This year, I'm all about exploring more plant-based options, especially when they're as hearty + satisfying as these Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers.
You know the deal with cutting back on animal products – sometimes you miss that feeling of fullness. Well, not with these babies! They're filling, flavorful, and totally meat-free. If you're on the hunt for hearty plant-based meals, I've got some winners for you ---Meatless Birria Tacos with Jackfruit, Chipotle Game Day Chickpea Nachos, Vegan Bolognese Pasta, and Hearty Vegan Taco Soup. Trust me, they're all game-changers when it comes to meatless deliciousness!
Okay let's talk about these stuffed bell peppers – totally meatless, gluten-free + comes with a vegan option. Perfect for any night of the week or when friends swing by. And let me tell you, they're bursting with bold flavors that'll have you hooked. Plus, you can prep some stuff in advance to make life a bit easier. They're super versatile too-- feel free to throw in other ingredients to jazz them up!
Jump to:
- What Are Stuffed Bell Peppers?
- Why You Will LOVE Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- How To Make Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Ingredients
- How To Make Lemon Herb Olive Oil Tomatoes
- 5 Tips For The BEST Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- What to Eat + Serve Stuffed Bell Peppers With?
- More Filling + Topping Ideas For Stuffed Peppers
- Can I Use Another Grain Besides Brown Rice + Quinoa?
- Can I Make These Stuffed Peppers Vegan?
- Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers Q + A's
- More Fan-Favorite Meatless Meals
- MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
- Stuffed Bell Peppers [Vegetarian]
What Are Stuffed Bell Peppers?
Stuffed bell peppers are a tasty dish made by filling hollowed-out bell peppers with a savory mixture. Once stuffed, the peppers are baked or roasted until tender. Stuffed bell peppers are enjoyed globally and can be made to accommodate different dietary needs like vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free! Their vibrant appearance + adaptability make them my go-to for family meals, gatherings, or whenever you want something versatile and flavorful on the table!
Why You Will LOVE Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Bursting with vibrant colors + flavors
- Totally meatless but SO hearty + filling
- Versatile filling options to suit your taste
- Easy to prepare + customize
- Perfect for meal prep + leftovers taste just as delicious the next day!
- Plus they are topped with golden, gooey, cheesy goodness!
How To Make Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
Get started by cutting the bell peppers in half and pre-baking them in the oven. Then, whip up the filling with garlic + cooked mixed rice. Once the peppers are partially baked, stuff them with the filling and sprinkle on shredded cheese. Bake for 6-7 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly. Finally, top it all off with the lemony herb olive oil tomatoes. Enjoy!
Ingredients
STUFFED PEPPERS:
- Bell peppers. Multi-color + halved.
- Extra virgin olive oil. Feel free to use your favorite high-quality EVOO. My fave tried and trusted brand is California Olive Ranch.
- Garlic. Minced.
- Quinoa + brown rice. This needed to be cooked beforehand.
- Sea salt + black pepper. To taste.
- Mozzarella cheese. It's best to shred or grate your cheese from a block for the best flavor and meltability.
GARNISH:
- Fresh cilantro. Adds a nice element of freshness.
- Pine nuts. Toasted
How To Make Lemon Herb Olive Oil Tomatoes
These tomatoes make such a nice fresh topping to the stuffed peppers. In a bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, basil, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes, stirring together to combine. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to marinate together. To serve, place baked stuffed peppers onto your favorite platter and top with drizzles of the lemony herb olive oil tomatoes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and pine nuts, if desired. Bon Appetit!
LEMONY HERB OLIVE OIL TOMATOES:
- Cherry tomatoes. Cut into halves.
- Extra virgin olive oil.
- Lemon. Freshly squeezed gives the best flavor.
- Herbs + spices. Garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, dried parsley + red pepper flakes.
SHOP MY FAVORITE BAKEWARE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES FOR THIS DISH!
Here, I’ve curated a list of cooking + baking essentials that I use to achieve my favorite baked goods or cooked meals, especially with this Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers. Everything from my fave dutch pot/oven, wooden spoons, immersion hand-blender, mixing bowls, and more. SEE THEM HERE!
5 Tips For The BEST Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers
To ensure your stuffed peppers are bursting with deliciousness, here are some tried-and-true tips and tricks I've picked up along the way:
Choose the right peppers --- Look for bell peppers that are firm, glossy, and without blemishes. Different colors of peppers add variety + visual appeal.
Pre-cook ingredients --- Pre-cook any grains like quinoa or rice before adding them to the filling. This ensures they're fully cooked and prevents the peppers from becoming soggy.
Season well --- Don't skimp on seasoning! Use a variety of herbs, spices, and garlic to add flavor to your filling. Salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and oregano are great options.
Don't forget the cheese --- Cheese adds creaminess and flavor to stuffed peppers. You can always use a a variety like mozzarella, cheddar, or feta for different taste profiles!
Prep the peppers --- This is totally optional and depends on your knife skills but you can slice off a small portion of the bottom to create a flat surface. This helps them stand upright in the baking dish.
What to Eat + Serve Stuffed Bell Peppers With?
When it comes to this Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe I often enjoy it with a side of bread of some sort. Most times, I make my own homemade Garlic Bread, however, you can choose to spruce things up with many other options such as:
- A delicious Salad-- Try Fall Harvest Apple Kale Salad or Best Buffalo Chickpea Kale Salad
- Sautéed Greens like Sautéed Lemon Garlic Herb Green Beans
- Texas Toast Garlic Bread or Garlic Naan Bread
- You could also serve them as an element of a grain bowl!
- Creamy mashed potato or sweet potato mash
- Mexican Style Chicken Queso Dip
- If you eat meat you could serve it alongside this hot honey baked chicken, or salmon. Learn how to cook sockeye salmon perfectly HERE!
Here's the thing. This Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe is so delicious and flavorful that you can honestly enjoy it all by itself. Seriously, the tender roasted peppers + cheesy crispy golden topping is everything! So, feel free to dig in and savor every single bite. It's a dish that stands tall on its own!
More Filling + Topping Ideas For Stuffed Peppers
If you've already savored the simplicity of garlic rice and quinoa filling and want to add some variety to your stuffed peppers, here are a few more ideas to tantalize your taste buds:
- Shredded chicken (if you're a meat eater)
- Tofu, mushrooms, tempeh, etc. (Great meat alternatives)
- Roasted veggies
- Roasted herb tomatoes
- Roasted chickpeas
- Sautéed onions
- Different seasonings like Lemon Pepper Seasoning or Cajun Seasoning
Topping Ideas
- Candied bacon (if you're a meat eater)
- Sliced jalapeños for extra heat.
- Green onions
- Seasoned Toasted Panko Bread Crumbs
- More fresh herbs like parsley + basil
- Almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch.
- Salsa
- Homemade Pesto Sauce
Can I Use Another Grain Besides Brown Rice + Quinoa?
Absolutely! If you don't have any brown rice/quinoa on hand or you just don't love brown rice no worries---you can easily substitute it with basmati rice, farro or even cauliflower rice. Any of these options would pair beautifully with these stuffed peppers, so feel free to choose the one that suits your dietary preferences or what you have available!
Can I Make These Stuffed Peppers Vegan?
Yes--- instead of regular dairy cheese swap it out for a vegan cheese. My favorite brands that seem to melt well are the mozzarella by Follow Your Heart or Daiya (they have a new oat milk base that melts really well) Please keep in mind that it might look and taste slightly different if using a vegan cheese.
Vegetarian Stuffed Bell Peppers Q + A's
Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, for optimal freshness. To reheat, remove the leftovers from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Then bake everything in an oven-safe baking dish or large cast iron skillet in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until warmed through.
Stuffed peppers are typically done when the peppers are tender and the filling is heated through. The cheese should be melted and bubbly. You can also insert a knife or fork into the filling to ensure it's hot all the way through
To prevent the peppers from becoming soggy, pre-cook them slightly before filling them. This helps to soften them without making them overly mushy during the baking process.
More Fan-Favorite Meatless Meals
If you’re a true lover of this Stuffed Bell Peppers recipe like I am (and my readers), then these other meatless meals will surely be a new staple in your house:
- Meatless Baked Ziti with Ricotta + Mozzarella
- Mind-blowing Avocado Toast
- Vegan Curry Chickpea Mashed Potato Bowl
- Vegan Jamaican Jerk Walnut Tacos
- Best Vegan Chickpea Meatball Subs
- Sheet Pan Roasted Garlic Buffalo Chickpea Pizza
- Loaded Potatoes with Spicy Beans
- Easy Weeknight Creamy Tuscan Ravioli
MADE OUR RECIPE(S)?
If you tried this Stuffed Bell Peppers [Vegetarian] recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below. And don't forget to tag @orchidsnsweettea_ on Instagram and hashtag it #orchidsandsweettea! I love hearing from you!
Stuffed Bell Peppers [Vegetarian]
Ingredients
STUFFED PEPPERS:
- 4 bell peppers, multi-color (halved)
- 2 Tbsps Extra virgin olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 cups cooked quinoa/brown rice blend
- sea salt + black pepper, to taste
- 2 cups organic mozzarella cheese, shredded
LEMONY HERB OLIVE OIL TOMATOES:
- 1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cup Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, freshly-squeezed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
GARNISH:
- Fresh cilantro
- Pine nuts, toasted
Instructions
PREP THE BELL PEPPERS:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees and lightly grease a large baking dish (standard 9x13) and arrange halved bell peppers (cut side up) and drizzle 2 Tablespoons of olive oil atop peppers. Transfer to preheated oven and allow to cook for 10-15 minutes until peppers are mostly tender.
TO MAKE THE FILLING:
- In a medium skillet over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. Once heated, add the minced garlic, sautéing until fragrant. Add in the cooked rice blend and salt, black pepper, stirring to combine, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat!
ASSEMBLE + BAKE:
- Spoon the filling mixture into the baked peppers and top with shredded cheese. Bake for 6-7 minutes or until cheese is melted.
TO MAKE THE LEMONY HERB OLIVE OIL TOMATOES:
- In a bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, olive oil, lemon juice, garlic powder, basil, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes, stirring together to combine. Let it sit for 2-3 minutes to marinate together.
- To serve, place baked stuffed peppers onto your favorite platter and top with drizzles of the lemony herb olive oil tomatoes. Garnish with fresh cilantro and pine nuts, if desired.
- Bon Appetit!
Tips & Tricks
- STORAGE: Leftovers can be stored in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, for optimal freshness. To reheat, remove the leftovers from the fridge and allow it to come to room temperature. Then bake everything in an oven-safe baking dish or large cast iron skillet in a preheated oven at 350 degrees until warmed through.
- ADDITIONAL TOPPINGS: If you'd like to spruce things up a bit more, you can add other topping ingredients such as: chopped bacon (if not vegan), fresh parsley, hazelnuts, pistachios, apricots or cherries, sage, sautéed onions, etc.
- RICE BLEND: If you don't have a rice blend or don't feel like using it, just substitute with the regular brown rice or wild rice.
Nutrition
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