These stuffed peppers deserve a spot in your dinner rotation! They’re the perfect combination of comforting and fresh, filled with a delicious blend of rice and beans and topped with melty cheese. Yes, they’re vegetarian, but these stuffed peppers are so tasty that everyone—meat eaters included!—will love them. I’ve shared other stuffed peppers recipes on the blog before, but this one is hands down my favorite. Here’s why: Let’s cook!
How to Make Stuffed Peppers
This vegetarian stuffed peppers recipe has three main steps: Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Roasting the Peppers
The first step in this recipe is roasting the peppers. It takes just 10 minutes, and it gives them the perfect tender texture. Any sweet bell peppers work well here. I typically use red, but feel free to use other colors if you like. Orange and yellow peppers would both be delicious. Just avoid green ones—they’re not sweet enough for this recipe. Slice them in half vertically, remove the membranes and seeds, and place them cut side up on a baking sheet. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper, then bake at 450°F until the peppers are tender. After roasting, tip out any liquid that pools inside the peppers, and set them aside while you make the stuffing.
Making the Filling
While the peppers roast, make the filling. If you don’t already have cooked brown rice on hand, start by preparing it. (See the tip below!) When it’s ready, sauté the onions, jalapeño, and garlic until softened. Then, add the tomato paste and spices. Cook until the tomato paste darkens and the spices are fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the rice, beans, and corn. Add fresh lime juice and zest for a burst of bright flavor. Season to taste.
The cooked rice will keep for up to 3 days in an airtight container in the fridge and in the freezer for up to 3 months. See my guide to how to cook brown rice for cooking instructions and tips! In a pinch, cooked white rice will work here too. Another option is to fully prepare the filling ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble and bake the peppers.
Finally, assemble and bake!
Stuff the peppers with the rice mixture and top with the cheese. Broil until the cheese is melted and browned, 5 to 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh cilantro, and serve! Find the complete recipe with measurements below.
Replace the cheese with your favorite vegan cheese shreds. You could also skip the cheese and serve the peppers with sliced avocado and drizzles of chipotle sauce. No need to broil the peppers in that case.
What to Serve with Stuffed Peppers
Want to make these vegetarian stuffed peppers even more flavorful? Serve them with sliced avocado or guacamole and your favorite salsa! The peppers are a satisfying meal on their own, but if you’re looking for something to serve on the side, you can’t go wrong with any of these recipes:
Mexican Street Corn Salad Elote Avocado Salad Roasted Zucchini Simple Green Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing
More Easy Vegetarian Recipes
If you love these stuffed bell peppers, try one of these easy vegetarian recipes next:
Easy Enchiladas Roasted Red Pepper Pasta Easy Vegetarian Chili Burrito Bowl Favorite Veggie Pizza Best Shakshuka Or any of these 60 Easy Dinner Ideas!
