Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

5 from 1 vote

Vegetarian Mexican Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

These Mexican inspired Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are exceptionally tasty and perfect for a meatless Monday or meal prep. Red bell peppers are stuffed with quinoa cooked with delicious fresh salsa verde sauce, topped with grated cheese and baked in the oven.

Prep Time30

Cook Time45

Total Time1 15

Course: dinner

Cuisine: Mexican

Servings: peppers

Calories: 474kcal

Author: Agnieszka

Equipment

Ingredients

4 large red bell peppers
1 cup quinoa
15 oz can black beans rinsed and drained
1 jalapeño pepper seeded and roughly chopped
1 cup baby spinach packed
2 cloves garlic peeled and roughly chopped
½ onion roughly chopped
4 oz green chiles
½ cup cilantro chopped
1 ¼ cup vegetable broth divided
½ lime juiced
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon cumin
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
⅔ cup Monterey Jack cheese grated

Instructions

Make salsa verde. In a bowl of a food processor combine cilantro, garlic, onion, green chiles, jalapeño, spinach and ¼ cup vegetable broth. Blend until smooth.
In a deep skillet heat olive oil, add dry quinoa and toast stirring for a couple minutes until golden on medium heat. Add salsa verde, cumin, salt and pepper and cook for 2-3 minutes until bubbly. Then add 1 cup vegetable broth, turn the stove to simmer and cook until all the liquid is absorbed, 15-20 minutes. Taste and season with more salt and pepper if needed. Stir in black beans, squeeze in lime juice and set aside. The quinoa should be slightly saucy (it will cook more in the peppers) and well-seasoned.
While the quinoa is cooking heat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray or brush a 9x13
casserole dish with avocado or olive oil (or other non-stick spray).
Cut the peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds.
Stuff the pepper halves with quinoa and black beans until all the stuffing is used up.
Place stuffed peppers in the prepared casserole dish, sprinkle with grated cheese and cover tightly with foil.
Bake for 35 minutes covered, then uncover and bake 10 more minutes (or more if you like your peppers very tender). If you want the cheese to be toasted, turn the broiler on at the very end for a minute or 2.
Serve with your favorite toppings: avocado slices, sour cream, hot sauce, salsa or more chopped cilantro.

Notes

Use whatever grated cheese you like if you don't have Monterey Jack. Cheddar, Colby Jack or your favorite blend will all work.

Replace jalapeño pepper with half a poblano pepper if you don't want any heat.

Nutrition