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stuffed peppers

stuffed peppers

Stuffed peppers bring Mediterranean flavor to your table. A healthy, convenient dinner that feels like comfort food and nourishes your day!
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Total Time 1 hour 1 minute
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Calories: 285
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 4 units bell peppers choose red, yellow, or orange
  • 0.5 cup quinoa uncooked
  • 1 cup chickpeas cooked, drained
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
  • 0.5 cup red onion diced
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
  • 0.25 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 0.25 cup crumbled feta cheese optional

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F). Prepare a baking dish by lightly greasing it with olive oil.
  2. Slice off the tops of the bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes. Arrange the peppers upright in the baking dish.
  3. Cook the quinoa: In a small pot, combine quinoa with 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer for about 15 minutes or until water is absorbed. Fluff with a fork.
  4. Prepare the filling: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sauté red onion for 2-3 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and cook for another minute.
  5. Combine cooked quinoa, sautéed onion and garlic, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, oregano, sea salt, black pepper, and lemon juice in a large bowl. Mix gently until well combined.
  6. Stuff each bell pepper generously with the quinoa mixture. Press down gently to fill completely. Sprinkle the tops with crumbled feta cheese if using.
  7. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes, until peppers are tender and slightly golden on top.
  8. Serve hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. Enjoy your healthy Mediterranean stuffed peppers!

Notes

Stuffed peppers are a beloved classic for good reason—they're delicious, visually appealing, and wonderfully versatile. Whether you want to serve them as a comforting weeknight dinner or a hearty dish for entertaining friends, stuffed peppers adapt beautifully to your kitchen's needs.

Practical Tips for Perfect Stuffed Peppers

  • Choose peppers of similar size so they cook evenly. Red, yellow, and orange types add natural sweetness, but green peppers work if you prefer a touch of bitterness.
  • You can swap quinoa for rice, bulgur, or even cauliflower rice for a low-carb option. Lentils are another protein-rich alternative to chickpeas.
  • If you don't have feta, use goat cheese or vegan cheese for dietary preference, or skip cheese altogether to keep it dairy-free.
  • For extra flavor, roast your peppers for 5–7 minutes before stuffing. This brings out their natural sweetness and makes them even more tender.
  • Add chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes to the filling for a Mediterranean twist.

Technique Tips

  • Simmer your quinoa with vegetable broth instead of water for depth of flavor.
  • When sautéing onions and garlic, cook until golden and very fragrant.
  • Press the filling gently into the pepper cavities without overpacking—this lets the flavors meld and ensures even cooking.

Serving & Variation Ideas

  • Serve your stuffed peppers with a fresh green salad, tzatziki, or garlic yogurt sauce for a complete meal.
  • Turn leftovers into a tasty lunch: slice peppers and layer them in a wrap or over grains.
  • Try adding cooked, seasoned ground turkey or tofu for extra protein.
  • Want to spice it up? Stir a pinch of smoked paprika or chili flakes into the stuffing mix.
The best part of this recipe is how easy it is to personalize and adapt to what you have on hand. Have fun experimenting and enjoy your homemade Mediterranean stuffed peppers!