Stuffed Bell Peppers Quinoa (Printable)

Bell peppers packed with quinoa, fresh herbs, and vegetables, baked to tender perfection for a nutritious dinner.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 4 large bell peppers, any color, tops removed and seeds removed
02 - 1 small zucchini, finely diced
03 - 1 small red onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered

→ Grains

06 - 1 cup quinoa, rinsed
07 - 2 cups vegetable broth

→ Herbs and Seasonings

08 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
10 - 1 tablespoon fresh mint, chopped
11 - 1 teaspoon dried oregano
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
13 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
14 - 2 tablespoons olive oil

→ Dairy

15 - 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese, optional

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a baking dish large enough to hold the peppers upright.
02 - In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Fluff with a fork and set aside.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, sauté for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add the zucchini and cook for 4 minutes until softened. Stir in the cherry tomatoes and cook for 2 additional minutes. Remove from heat.
04 - In a large bowl, combine the cooked quinoa, sautéed vegetables, parsley, basil, mint, oregano, salt, and pepper. If using, fold in the feta cheese.
05 - Fill each bell pepper with the quinoa mixture, packing lightly. Place them upright in the prepared baking dish.
06 - Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until peppers are tender and tops are lightly browned.
07 - Let cool for 5 minutes before serving. Garnish with extra herbs if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • These peppers are naturally gluten-free without any fussy substitutions or ingredient hunting.
  • The filling comes together in under 40 minutes total, making it perfect for weeknight dinners when you want something that still feels special.
  • You can prep everything the night before and just bake when you're ready, which means less stress and more time to enjoy the aroma.
02 -
  • The peppers will release moisture as they cook, so don't panic if there's liquid in the bottom of the dish—this actually keeps everything moist and prevents the filling from drying out.
  • If your peppers are very large or oddly shaped, you may need to add 5 to 10 minutes to the cooking time; they're done when a knife pierces the flesh with almost no resistance.
03 -
  • Cut your peppers straight down through the stem area rather than slicing off the top, which keeps them sturdier and more visually appealing as they bake.
  • If your peppers tend to tip or wobble, trim just a thin slice from the bottom to create a flat surface—this small adjustment prevents frustration and uneven cooking.
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