I’m excited to share another Mix & Match recipe: healthy stuffed peppers. These versatile stuffed peppers can be filled with a variety of ingredients—ground turkey, shredded chicken, quinoa, black beans, brown rice, melty cheese, tender vegetables, and more—so you can customize them to suit your taste and pantry.
Stuffed peppers are a family favorite: simple to prepare, nourishing, and easy to adapt. They’re also great for meal prep—you can assemble the peppers ahead of time and bake them during the week for a quick, wholesome dinner.
How to Make Stuffed Peppers
Making stuffed peppers is straightforward: sauté aromatics, add a protein, stir in a grain and seasonings, fill the pepper halves, and bake until tender.
Step 1: Sauté Onions & Garlic
Start the filling with a base of one chopped onion and two cloves of garlic. Cook them over medium-high heat with a drizzle of olive oil until the onion is translucent—this builds flavor for whatever seasoning profile you choose.
Step 2: Add Protein
After the onions and garlic soften, add your chosen protein. Good options include about 1 pound of ground meat (turkey, chicken, or beef), 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken, a package of crumbled tempeh, or a drained 15-oz can of beans. You can also combine proteins for added interest.
If you use raw ground meat, cook it until browned and cooked through; for pre-cooked proteins, simply stir them in to combine with the aromatics. Any leftover filling can be used in wraps or over a salad for another meal.
Step 3: Add Grains
Adding whole grains turns stuffed peppers into a balanced, satisfying meal. Brown rice or quinoa are my go-to choices because you can often use pre-cooked grains to save time—stir them into the pan once the protein is in place. Other grains or rices work well, too.
Step 4: Season the Filling
Seasonings and additions like canned tomatoes, salsa, fresh herbs, and spices define the flavor of the filling. Add seasonings after the protein and grains are combined and toss to integrate. Below are three flavor profiles that work especially well:
Italian-Inspired
1 cup canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes + 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning + 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil + salt and pepper to taste.
Mexican-Inspired
1 cup salsa + 2 teaspoons each chili powder, ground cumin, and smoked paprika + 2 green onions, chopped + salt and pepper to taste.
Greek-Inspired
1 cup canned fire-roasted diced tomatoes + 1 teaspoon dried oregano + 1/3 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives + 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley + salt and pepper to taste.
Step 5: Fill Pepper Halves & Bake
Once the filling is seasoned, spoon it into prepared bell peppers. For larger pepper-to-filling ratio, slice off the tops, remove the seeds, and stand whole peppers in a baking dish. For more filling and a cheesier top, halve peppers lengthwise and heap filling into four halves.
Arrange the filled peppers in a baking dish, cover with foil if baking immediately, and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 40 minutes or until the peppers are tender. Alternatively, refrigerate the assembled dish and bake the next day for convenience.
Step 6 (Optional): Top with Cheese
If you like, add shredded or sliced cheese on top of the filling and bake uncovered until the cheese melts. Any melting cheese—from cheddar to mozzarella to crumbled feta—works depending on your chosen flavor profile.
These stuffed peppers are flexible and forgiving. If you prefer a firmer pepper, you can fill a raw pepper with warm filling and eat it right away. Otherwise, baking softens the peppers and melds the flavors.
Here are three favorite combinations to inspire you:
Shredded Chicken + Chickpeas + Quinoa + Greek-Inspired Seasoning + Feta
Crumbled Tempeh + Black Beans + Quinoa + Mexican-Inspired Seasoning + Shredded Cheddar
Ground Turkey + Brown Rice + Italian-Inspired Seasoning + Fresh Mozzarella
Are you a stuffed pepper fan? What’s your favorite combination?
Whichever filling you choose, these healthy stuffed peppers are a delicious, customizable dinner. Try mixing different proteins, grains, and seasonings to create new flavor combinations that suit your weeknight needs.
Mix & Match recipe ideas:
- Smoothies
- Overnight Oats
- Avocado Toast
- Sheet Pan Dinners
- Stir Fries
- Lettuce Wraps
- Easy Marinades
- Healthy Sandwiches
- Grain Salad Bowls