Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe: 4 Tips for Stuffed Peppers

Vegetarian stuffed peppers are bell peppers filled with cooked grains, vegetables, spices, and cheese (or vegan cheese, for vegan stuffed peppers). The star ingredient of this protein-rich dish is a nutritional powerhouse. One raw bell pepper provides nearly ninety-seven percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C. Red bell peppers contain vitamin A and beta-carotene. Most peppers have trace amounts of vitamin K and vitamin B1.

Use any starches, vegetables, or seasonings on hand to make this versatile dish your own. Here are some varieties and combinations that shine:

1. 1. Add more protein. Grains and seeds—like rice and quinoa—have protein, but you can include additional proteins like ground vegan meat or sausage or toasted nuts and beans. For example, use a food processor to pulse cooked black beans, toasted walnuts, paprika, and red pepper flakes into a rough mixture that approximates ground beef.
2. 2. Make dairy-free stuffed peppers. For a dairy-free filling, use vegan cheese or skip the cheese entirely. Go the DIY route with this vegan cheese recipe, or pick up a package of your favorite vegan shredded cheese from the grocery store.
3. 3. Use Italian flavors. Combine cooked orzo with chopped basil, chunks of mozzarella, and tomato sauce, and use this filling to stuff the peppers. Top with Parmesan cheese.
4. 4. Take inspiration from Middle Eastern cuisine. Try crunchy roasted chickpeas (sauté or bake them with a good amount of olive oil), couscous, and za’atar inside your peppers. Learn how to cook couscous properly.
5. 5. Try Mexican-style stuffed peppers. Mexican rice and black beans seasoned with plenty of spice—like toasted cumin seeds, chili powder, taco seasoning, and fresh cilantro—bring Latin American flavors to this dish. Garnish with sour cream, homemade pico de gallo, guacamole, or crushed tortilla chips.
6. 6. Skip the grains. Though you can use any leftover cooked seeds or grains in this dish, such as quinoa or farro, you can also stuff bell peppers with mashed potatoes—a vegetarian approximation of shepherd’s pie.

Make vegetarian stuffed peppers as a quick and filling weeknight dinner for the whole family. Here are some tips to make this easy recipe a cinch:

1. 1. Choose your peppers. Bell peppers come in a range of colors, and you can use the color of your choice for this dish—though green bell peppers are less sweet. Also, choose evenly sized bell peppers, so they cook at a similar rate. Here’s how to remove bell pepper seeds.
2. 2. Cook the fillings before mixing. For best results, cook the grains and other filling components separately before baking. For extra flavor, cook the grains in vegetable broth or stock. Cooking the ingredients ahead of time makes meal prep easier and ensures that each component has the right texture.
3. 3. Make a whole meal. Serve stuffed bell peppers alongside your favorite vegetarian recipes, such as a simple green salad, roasted zucchini, sweet potato fries drizzled with tahini and herbs, bright green pesto sauce or salsa verde, or a bowl of buttered polenta.
4. 4. Store your peppers properly. This dish keeps well, and you can make it ahead of time for lunch the next day. Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days. Reheat leftover stuffed peppers in a baking dish in the oven or use the microwave.