Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

5 from 624 votes

These Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are loaded with lots of plant-based protein and gluten-free quinoa and topped with melted cheese- hearty and healthy

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.

This Quinoa Stuffed Peppers recipe is made with plant-based protein including quinoa and beans for a healthy, hearty and delicious meal that vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike will love! Peppers can be stuffed with just about anything, and one of our family favorites is beef stuffed peppers!

White baking dish with quinoa stuffed peppers
Want to save this recipe?
Just type your email below and I’ll send it to you. And as a bonus you’ll get delicious new recipes from me!

You might be thinking these look really yummy, but what about the protein? Well there’s about 12 grams of protein per serving in these quinoa stuffed peppers! It’s all mostly coming from the quinoa, but also from the beans and the cheese. Totally filling, totally delicious and totally healthy!

What’s great about these quinoa stuffed peppers is that they’re versatile, great as leftovers and freeze really well.

How do you make quinoa stuffed peppers

Cook the quinoa

Cook the quinoa in the vegetable broth in a pan on the stovetop. Follow the package directions or check my how to cook quinoa post.

Process shots to show how to cook the quinoa

Cook the vegetarian stuffing

Saute the onions in a skillet until softened and add in the garlic. Add in the diced tomatoes, black beans and corn before stirring in the quinoa. Season and cook for 5 minutes while stirring. Then add the quinoa and stir to combine.

Process shots to show how to cook the stuffing with the quinoa

Hallow and stuff the peppers

Slice the bell peppers lengthways and remove the seeds. Place in a baking dish, cut side up and pour a little water in to cover the bottom of the pan. This will help make sure to peppers don’t stick to the baking dish.

6 hallowed peppers halves on a white baking dish

Spoon the filling into each pepper and sprinkle cheese on top. Bake until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted. This shows half the filling in 6 pepper halves. But it’s enough to fill 12 pepper halves.

Process shots to show stuffing the peppers with the mixture and adding cheese on top

Tips To Make Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

  1. Buy pre-cooked quinoa to cut down on cooking time. I often make a big batch of quinoa at the start of the week as it keeps well in the fridge for around 5 days. I can then grab it and use it in recipes whenever I need.
  2. Make these stuffed peppers vegan by omitting the shredded cheese. You can also use your favorite vegan friendly cheese.
  3. Let the quinoa sit in the pan before fluffing and making the stuffing. This will help it to absorb any extra moisture. If the quinoa is wet, you will end up with soggy stuffed peppers.
  4. Boil the peppers for 5 minutes before stuffing. This helps to make sure they are softer after baking if you prefer that they are more tender, versus crisp as they cook currently.
Close up shot of quinoa stuffed peppers with melted cheese

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make stuffed peppers ahead of time?

Yes, stuffed peppers are a great make ahead meal! Follow the recipe, let the cool completely and keep them in an airtight container in the fridge. They will keep well for 3 to 4 days. You can also make the stuffing ahead of time and keep it covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Can you freeze quinoa stuffed peppers?

Again, yes! These peppers make for a great freezer meal. Let them cool and wrap them individually in foil. Once solid you can transfer them to a freezer bag. Defrost them over night before reheating in the oven.

What do you serve with them?

You can serve the quinoa stuffed peppers with a side salad or veggies, or for a fuller meal you can serve them with a potato side. Try them with:
Greek Salad
Caesar Salad
Chicken Piccata

Quinoa stuffed peppers after cooked topped with cheese and cilantro

More stuffed peppers recipes:

More vegetarian dinner recipes:

If you’ve tried this healthy-ish feel good Quinoa Stuffed Peppers recipe or any other recipe on FeelGoodFoodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below! I would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots of it, share it with me on Instagram so I can repost on my stories!

preorder MY book

The Feel Good Foodie Cookbook is now available everywhere books are sold!

Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

These Vegetarian Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are loaded with lots of plant-based protein and gluten-free quinoa and topped with melted cheese- hearty and healthy
5 from 624 votes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 286
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 40 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 6 medium bell peppers tops cut off and cores removed
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa rinsed and drained
  • 2 cups vegetable broth
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 15 ounce canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 15 ounce can black beans
  • 1 cup frozen corn thawed
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup freshly shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • Optional toppings: chopped fresh cilantro diced avocado, sour cream

Instructions

  • Place the quinoa and vegetable broth in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Lower heat to a simmer, cover the saucepan with a lid and cook covered until all the liquid is absorbed, 15 minutes. Allow the quinoa to rest for about 5 minutes, without opening the lid, then fluff with a fork.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F, and prepare the peppers by cutting them in half lengthwise and removing the seeds and membrane. Place the peppers in a baking dish cut side up, and pour water around the peppers — just enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
  • Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add onions and saute until they start to soften, about 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 more minute. Stir in the cooked quinoa, diced tomatoes, black beans and corn. Season with cumin, paprika, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to low and cook for additional 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Carefully spoon the mixture into the sliced peppers and sprinkle the cheese on top.
  • Bake uncovered until the peppers are tender and the cheese is melted, about 30-35 minutes. Add optional toppings and serve hot.

Notes

Storage: Store any leftovers in an airtight container. They will last about 3-4 days in the fridge.
Freezing Instructions: You can also freeze the baked stuffed peppers for up to 3 months. Freeze them individually or all together in a baking dish. To re-heat, thaw in the fridge overnight and bake in a 350°F oven until heated through.
Make Ahead Tips: You can make the stuffing ahead of time and keep covered in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Substitutes: For best results, follow the recipe as is. However here are some common substitutes that would work well in this recipe.
  • You can use any other colored peppers you’d like.
  • If you don’t have quinoa, you can use cauliflower rice, rice, barley or bulgur.

Nutrition

Serving: 1g, Calories: 286kcal, Carbohydrates: 51g, Protein: 12g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 915mg, Potassium: 907mg, Fiber: 12g, Sugar: 8g, Vitamin A: 4145IU, Vitamin C: 165mg, Calcium: 81mg, Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.

Cuisine American
Course: Main Course

Rate and comment

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Prepped these yesterday then just topped with cheese and baked for tonight’s dinner. They are amazing and so filling! Definitely a keeper recipe.

  2. I made this last night, and it was a hit! My husband was skeptical, but this dish won him over. I did double the paprika and cumin as I thought it needed a little more flavor, but otherwise made it true to the recipe!

  3. Made these for my family last night.
    They loved them!
    Things I did a little differently:
    Along with the posted ingredients and directions….
    I also sauteed the onion to almost caramelization – added quite a bit more salt and also mixed in chopped roasted green chiles (they were a mild to medium heat) and before stuffing, I placed the peppers cut side up in the baking dish and drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled salt and roasted in the oven at 350 degrees uncovered for about 15-ish minutes.

    Stuffed the peppers when they were cooled, sprinkled freshly shredded cheddar on top, covered with saran and refrigerated them until 30 min. before baking then let them come close to room temp.
    Baked covered in foil for 20 minutes, then uncovered and raised the temp to 400 for 10 minutes…then actually broiled them (one rack down) for just enough time to get the cheese slightly darker.
    They were a huge hit!

  4. I love your website! Easy to sort and find recipes. I love your tips,substitutions and the variety that you have. I hanks to you I have managed to eat healthy and with flavor all without breaking the bank! You are awesome keep up the great work!!<33

  5. I just made these stuffed peppers and they are amazing!! I had extra tomatoes from my garden so substituted them for the canned tomatoes.

    Thank you

  6. This is an amazing dish!!
    I added an extra half teaspoon of cumin just because it like it.
    A BIG TIP…if you dice up the peppers and saute them with the onion and garlic it would just as amazing, but less time consuming. Just put the mixture in an oven dish with the cheese to melt !!!!

  7. This is absolutely fantastic!!!
    I tasted the mixture and added another half teaspoon of cumin, just because I really like cumin.
    I can give everyone a BIG TIP!!
    You can also chop up the green peppers and saute them with the onion and garlic!! It would make the meal much less time consuming and it would be just as good!! Add the cheese and melt it on top aftewards…JUST SAYING!!!!

  8. I was looking for a vegetarian shepherd’s pie, I checked out a few sites and decided that your recipe was the one for me.
    I have looked at a few more recipes on here, and I just have to say they all look amazing, and thank you for the time and effort you have put into them, and for making them available online!

    1. Hi Jenn, great question. You’ll want to bake and then freeze. Just make sure you let them cool completely to avoid moisture buildup and ice crystals forming.

  9. Are calories for half of a pepper or one whole pepper,? This was so good! I’m freezing left over stuffing for next time
    Thanks,@

    1. Hi Shaina! You can substitute water for the broth if you don’t have any on hand. Cooking the quinoa in broth does enhance the flavor, but it isn’t necessary. You can also leave out the cumin if it’s a spice you’re not fond of. I’d substitute it with ground coriander or chili powder. You can even use taco seasoning if you’d like. I hope you enjoy them!

      1. Thank you! We found broth but made it without cumin since we didn’t have any. We also used brown rice (personal preference). The stuffed peppers were wonderful! Thank you! 🙂

    1. Thank you! You shouldn’t have to drain it because the liquid will evaporate slightly in the third step and help combine all of the ingredients.

  10. Thanks for the inspiration as I looked at some peppers I needed to use! Also added chopped mushrooms (sautéed), some toasted pine nuts and nutritional yeast instead of cheese, and used the marinara sauce I had on hand instead of tomatoes – delicious and filling!

  11. Yummy recipe! One suggestion to improve would be to bake the peppers before filling for 15-20 minutes to soften them so they are less crunchy at the end.

  12. Wow these are so delicious! I didn’t have quinoa so I used pearled couscous and WOW! Easy and healthy and scrumptious…everything you want in food! Thank you!

  13. Made these last night and they were absolutely wonderful! Instead of making 12 halves I just filled 6 peppers full and at 1 whole pepper as recipe makes 6 servings. I put a dollop of Greek yogurt on top and the game changer was definitely the cilantro! Hubs loved them and we will make again!

  14. Trying to eat healthy, again! Happened to already have some cooked quinoa so unfortunately didn’t boil it in vegetable stock. Not trying to change up the recipe ) I hate when people do that 😉) but I only had a can of rotel with green chili’s so I’m using that instead of regular diced and added half a fresh chopped tomato before it grew mold on it! Can’t wait to eat dinner but I’m trying to wait because, you know, I’m eating healthy and don’t want to stuff my face!!

  15. This sounds great! Except I’ll omit the cheese to make these vegan. Or top with vegan cheese. Looking forward to trying this recipe. Thanks!

  16. The filling was amazing! however, the instructions were confusing. the ingredients list said to top the peppers then the instructions said to cut them in half. Could have been written better. Also Mix cheese into the mix, it would make it better.

  17. Just picked fresh green peppers out of my garden and wanted to make a nice, healthy dish. This was easy and very delish!

  18. This is a perfect Meatless Monday meal (though I tried it on a Saturday)! I sautéed chopped habaneros to give it some heat. I also added Mexican chili powder and smoked paprika.

    I can’t wait to make it to share with vegetarian friends who will find this dish to be a real crowd pleaser!

  19. Yuma, thank you so much !! It was absolutely easy to make & delicious 😍
    Guys don’t forget to check out Feel Good Foodie on IG & Youtube !! You can find all kinds of amazing recipes ❤️

    1. Yummy! I made some chunky salsa made with black beans, corn, can tomato, onion, cilantro, lime juice, earlier in the day for tortilla chips. I decided to look for stuffed peppers with quinoa for dinner and wow, your recipe popped up! Thank you so much! They are delicious 😊

    1. You will need six, as the photos show half the filling in 6 pepper halves. But the recipe makes enough filling to fill 12 pepper halves.

  20. I made these for me and my husband last night and it is one of our new favorite healthy meals. Will definitely be making again! Thank you!

  21. I made these today and they turned out amazing! My toddler loved them and so did my whole family 👌👏

  22. Such a yummy, healthy, filling recipe!!! Good for the tummy and SO tasty!! I didn’t have diced tomatoes so I used salsa instead and it was spicy and delicious!! Highly recommend. Will make again and again!

  23. Best stuffed vegetable I’ve cooked so far!!! Sooo good and healthy. I did it with red, green, and yellow peppers.

  24. These quinoa stuffed bell peppers are so so good!!!!! My husband made them and they were ready when I got home from work 😊 We made ours with vegan sour cream and vegan cheese – delish!! Thank you for the recipe. We will definitely make these again!

  25. I made this for lunch and it was a success!!! So easy to make, so good and kept me feeling full and satisfied for the whole afternoon! It’s definitely a must try. Thank you so much for the recipe.