Easy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Beans

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Simple Stuffed peppers are made with quinoa and beans for a hearty vegetarian dinner.

You are going to love these vegetarian stuffed peppers with beans! They have a Tex-Mex flair and are made with colorful bell peppers filled with plant-based protein and flavor. They are so hearty and satisfying that you won’t miss the meat.

vegetarian stuffed eppers on a plate with a salad and lime wedge

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The first time I made these vegetarian stuffed peppers, my family mistook the filling for meat, so I went along with it until they finished eating. They are so simple to assemble and a perfect weeknight meal that the entire family will love.

Peppers can be loaded with just about anything from ground meat and rice, cheese,  beans, and vegetables. If you prefer the traditional-style stuffed peppers, try this recipe for deconstructed stuffed peppers or these old fashioned stuffed peppers.

Why you will love this recipe

  • It’s an easy stuffed pepper recipe that can be on the table in less than an hour!
  • This delicious recipe is versatile, there are many different ways to make it!
  • Healthy! This recipe is made with wholesome, healthy ingredients.
The ingredients on a board, bell peppers, chili powder, cilantro and oregano, lime, shredded cheese, black beans, onions, cooked quinoa and tomatoes

Here is what you will need

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Ingredient List

  • Bell Peppers
  • Cooked quinoa
  • Olive oil
  • Onion
  • Fresh Garlic
  • Diced tomatoes
  • Black Beans
  • Chili powder
  • Fresh cilantro
  • Fresh oregano
  • Lime Juice from a lime
  • Shredded cheddar cheese

How to make vegetarian stuffed peppers with beans

Prepare the ingredients: chop the onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, and oregano. Squeeze the lime juice and shred the cheddar cheese.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium to high heat and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

onions and garlic in a saute pan cooking

Step 1. Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium heat and add the onions and garlic; cook for a few minutes until they soften.

Stuffing for peppers in a skillet topped with cilantro and a spoon

Step 2. Make the filling. Add the quinoa, tomatoes, beans, chili powder and cilantro to the skillet and mix well.

stuffing for stuffed peppers in a pan with lime juice pouring in

Step 3. Stir in the fresh lime juice and mix everything together.

a process picture of the stuffed peppers filled without cheese topping

Step 4. Fill the peppers. Use a spoon to fill the bell pepper halves with the filling, and place them on a baking sheet.

stuffed peppers with shredded cheese

Step 5. Sprinkle on the cheese and bake for 20 minutes until the peppers become tender and the cheese melts.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

Peppers – Any variety of bell peppers will work in this recipe. I like to use a variety for a colorful presentation such as green bell peppers, red bell peppers, and orange or yellow peppers.

Tomatoes- I like to use fresh chopped tomatoes when they are in season and they can easily be substituted with an equal amount of low-sodium canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.

Add more veggies – Add a 1/2 cup of any combination of diced zucchini, bell peppers or corn to the stuffing mixture.

Cheese – The cheddar cheese in this recipe can be replaced with your favorite cheese. Try any combination of these: Monterey jack cheese, pepper jack cheese, cotija cheese, queso fresco, feta cheese or goat cheese.

Beans – I like to use black beans for the bean mixture in this recipe, and they can be substituted with pinto beans or red beans, lentils, white beans or kidney beans.

Quinoa – Can be substituted with an equal amount of your favorite whole grain such as brown rice, wheat berries, millet, farro, or barley.

Vegan stuffed peppers. Replace the cheese with 2 tablespoons of nutritional yeast or vegan cheese.

Italian – Skip the chili powder, cumin, cilantro, and black beans. Instead, add 1 tablespoon chopped basil, 1 cup white beans, 1 cup cooked rice, farro or orzo, an extra clove of chopped garlic, and top them with mozzarella cheese.

Lower carb – Replace the quinoa with cauliflower rice.

An overhead view of stuffed peppers on a baking pan with melted cheese

This recipe will cook the peppers slightly and crisp them. If you prefer your peppers to be more and soft in texture, place them in the oven for about 10 minutes before stuffing them, or add them to a pot of boiling water for a few minutes. Remove them with a slotted spoon and dry them off before stuffing them.

How to make vegetarian stuffed peppers ahead of time

These peppers are perfect for meal prep. You have two options: you can either make the entire recipe and assemble the peppers without the cheese topping up to two days ahead of time, or you can cook the quinoa and prepare the filling, as well as the bell peppers, ahead of time and store them in separate containers for two to three days. When you’re ready to serve, assemble the peppers, top them with grated cheese, bake for 20 minutes, and enjoy!

A close up of a stuffed pepper with melted cheese on a white plate

How to store leftover stuffed peppers

Leftover stuffed cooked stuffed peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container.

Reheat leftover vegetarian stuffed peppers in the microwave or cover and place in a preheated 350 oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Freezing vegetarian stuffed peppers is not recommended since I have not frozen them.

What to serve with vegetarian stuffed peppers

Vegetarian stuffed peppers taste great with a big green salad like an arugula salad, kale, and brussels sprouts salad, or spinach salad for a balanced meal.

Top the peppers with a dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream or fresh, homemade guacamole, sliced green onions, or jalapeno peppers on the side.   

Two stuffed peppers on a plate with a salad and a fork

Tip

  • Use baby peppers and serve these stuffed peppers as an appetizer or make mini pepper nacho appetizers!
  • Cut off a small portion from the underside of the peppers to keep them stable in the pan.
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a half of red bell pepper stuffed and topped with melted cheese on a plate with lettuce

Simple Stuffed Peppers

Simple Stuffed peppers are made with quinoa and beans for a hearty vegetarian dinner.
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Click on serving size to scale this recipe

Course: Dinner Recipes
Cuisine: American/Mexican
Keyword: Vegetarian stuffed bell peppers
Servings: 4
Calories: 317kcal
Author: Anne

Simple Stuffed Peppers

Scale this Recipe 4

Ingredients

  • 4 bell peppers
  • 2 cups cooked quinoa
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 cup diced onion approximately one small onion
  • 1 clove garlic chopped
  • 1 cups diced tomatoes Fresh or canned
  • 1 cups black beans canned and rinsed or cooked
  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon fresh chopped cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons fresh chopped oregano
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1/2 cup crumbled queso fresco or shredded pepper jack cheese

Instructions

  • Prepare the ingredients: Chop the onions, garlic, tomatoes, cilantro, and oregano. Squeeze the lime juice and shred the cheese. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees f.
  • Cut the stems off of the peppers and slice the peppers in half vertically. Remove the membrane and set them aside.
  • Add  1 tablespoon of olive oil to a saute pan and the garlic and onions – cook until they begin to soften.
  • Add the quinoa, tomatoes, beans, chili powder, and cilantro; mix well.
  • Next, stir in the lime juice mix until all ingredients are combined.
  • Spoon the stuffing mixture into each pepper half and top with cheese.
  • Place the peppers into a preheated oven and bake for 20 minutes until heated through and the cheese is melted.

Notes

Substitutions
cheese – cheddar cheese  can be replaced with any type of cheese.  Try any combination of: Monterey jack, pepper jack, cotija, queso fresco, feta or goat cheese.
Beans –  can be substituted with pinto beans or kidney beans.
Quinoa – an equal amount of any cooked whole grain will work. Try:  brown rice, wheat berries, millet, farro, or barley.
How To Store Leftovers:
Leftover stuffed cooked stuffed peppers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to four days in an airtight container.
Reheat leftover vegetarian stuffed peppers in the microwave or cover and place in a preheated 350 oven for approximately 10 to 15 minutes.
Serving Suggestions
Vegetarian stuffed peppers taste great with a big green salad like an arugula salad, kale, and brussels sprouts salad, or spinach salad for a balanced meal.
Top the peppers with a dollop of Greek yogurt, sour cream or fresh, homemade guacamole, sliced green onions, or jalapeno peppers on the side.   

Nutrition

Serving: 2halves | Calories: 317kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Cholesterol: 14mg | Sodium: 144mg | Potassium: 779mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 4559IU | Vitamin C: 162mg | Calcium: 184mg | Iron: 4mg

Nutrition information provided is an estimate and can vary based on cooking methods and ingredients used

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One Comment

  1. Thanks for posting! I’m always looking for new vegetarian recipes to work into rotation! This looks great! Thanks!