Stuffed peppers are a versatile and satisfying dish that can be adapted to various dietary needs and preferences. This article explores a range of vegetarian and keto-friendly stuffed pepper recipes, offering options for those seeking low-carb, plant-based meals. Whether you're looking for a quick weeknight dinner, a meal prep option, or a dish to impress at a party, there's a stuffed pepper recipe here for you.
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers with Spinach and Ricotta
This recipe offers an Italian-inspired twist on the classic stuffed pepper, replacing meat with a flavorful spinach and ricotta filling. It's a great low-carb alternative to stuffed shells, packed with veggies and protein.
Ingredients
- Bell peppers (any color)
- Cherry tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Spinach
- Garlic
- Onions
- Ricotta cheese (full fat recommended)
- Red pepper flakes
- Egg
- Basil
- Lemon zest
- Parmesan cheese (shredded)
Instructions
- Roast tomatoes and peppers: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Add cherry tomatoes, 1/2 tablespoon olive oil, salt, and pepper to a 9 x 11 inch oven safe baking dish. Toss to combine. Place peppers in the pan and bake for 10 minutes.
- Sauté spinach: While the tomatoes and peppers are cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium-high heat. Sauté spinach, garlic, and onions until spinach has wilted. Drain the spinach well using a fine mesh strainer and set aside in a mixing bowl.
- Make the ricotta filling: Add ricotta, red pepper flakes, egg, basil, and lemon zest to the mixing bowl with the spinach. Mix until fully combined.
- Stuff the peppers: Remove the peppers from the oven and stuff with the spinach and ricotta mixture. Top each pepper with about half a tablespoon of shredded parmesan cheese.
- Bake the stuffed peppers: Place the stuffed peppers in the oven and bake for about 5 minutes, just until the cheese on top has melted and the peppers are warm all the way through.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these stuffed peppers as a side or a main dish. For a protein-rich side, consider farro. If you're following a grain-free or carb-free diet, serve them with your favorite protein, such as slow cooker chili lime chicken, easy blackened shrimp, or pan seared scallops.
Meal Prep and Storage
Vegetarian stuffed peppers are perfect for meal prep. Complete all the steps except the final bake to melt the cheese. Store stuffed peppers in the fridge for several days.
Vegan Stuffed Peppers with Cauliflower Rice and Chickpeas
For a plant-based and vegan-friendly option, try these stuffed peppers loaded with cauliflower rice, mushrooms, and sun-dried tomatoes. This recipe is packed with protein from chickpeas and quinoa, and it's also gluten-free, Whole30, keto, low carb, and paleo-friendly.
Read also: Easy Low-Carb Cheese Crackers
Ingredients
- Bell peppers (any color)
- Red onion
- Garlic
- Cremini mushrooms
- Cauliflower rice (fresh or frozen, thawed)
- Walnuts
- Sun-dried tomatoes in oil
- Salsa
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley
- Optional: shredded vegan cheese or dairy-free cheese (or regular cheese if not Whole30 or paleo)
- Cooked quinoa or a cooked quinoa blend
Instructions
- Prepare the peppers: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place on a parchment-lined baking pan or baking dish. Drizzle with oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes.
- Make the filling: Heat oil in a frying pan on medium heat. Add diced onions and cook 3-4 minutes, or until softened. Add minced garlic and mushrooms and sauté until mushrooms are cooked and the water from them has evaporated. Stir in cauliflower rice, walnuts, tomatoes, salsa, cooked quinoa and chickpeas. Season with paprika, cumin, turmeric, salt, and pepper.
- Stuff the peppers: Once the peppers are ready, remove from oven and stuff the peppers evenly with the filling.
- Garnish and bake: Garnish with parsley and sprinkle with optional cheese, if desired. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes, or until the peppers are tender.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these Whole30 stuffed bell peppers on their own or with your favorite protein like grilled chicken, kale salad, potatoes, or roasted vegetables.
Variations
- Cook filling with some crumbled tofu.
- Add ground protein of choice for Paleo Stuffed Peppers.
- Toss in some sautéed spinach.
- Feel free to top with cheese, sour cream, or stuff with cooked rice if you’re not following a Whole30 diet.
Storage and Reheating
- Storing: These stuffed peppers store in the refrigerator for 3-4 days.
- Freezing: These stuffed peppers can be made ahead of time but you may get a little bit watery when defrosting. Store in a freezable casserole pan with a lid. If you do not have a freezer safe casserole dish, place the peppers on a baking sheet and freeze for at least 30 minutes. Once the peppers are frozen, wrap the peppers individually with two layers of plastic wrap, then store in a large freezer bag.
- Reheating: You can cook the stuffed peppers directly from the freezer or thaw them first.
- From frozen: Remove lid from the freezer-safe casserole dish and place the dish directly into the oven. Unwrap the peppers and place on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees F until they are completely thawed.
- Thawed: Placing peppers in your refrigerator overnight. Baked the thawed peppers at 350 until they completely warm.
Low Carb Stuffed Peppers with Riced Vegetables
This recipe uses riced vegetables, specifically Green Giant Riced Veggies Kohlrabi, to create a low-carb filling with delicious Tex-Mex flavors.
Ingredients
- Sweet peppers (any color)
- Green Giant Riced Veggies Kohlrabi
- Spices (Tex-Mex blend)
- Optional: Corn
Instructions
- Microwave the Green Giant Riced Veggies Kohlrabi for 6 minutes (as per instructions).
- Transfer the riced kohlrabi to a sieve to remove any excess water from steaming. You can even squeeze the excess water by hand.
- Mix the riced kohlrabi with Tex-Mex spices and corn (optional).
- Spoon the filling into each bell pepper cavity.
- Instant Pot: Place stuffed peppers on a trivet in the Instant Pot. Press the Pressure Cook/Manual button,for 6 minutes.
- Air Fryer: Stuff the peppers and place in the basket of the air fryer. Cook for 15 minutes at 180C/350F degrees.
- Oven: Bake until peppers are tender.
Health Benefits of Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a vegetable in the Brassica family, along with cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower, and is just as nutrient-dense. It can be eaten cooked or raw. The word Kohlrabi is German and translates to "cabbage turnip". It has a flavor that is kind of cabbage and kind of turnip, with a hint of sweetness and a peppery bite. Green Giant Riced Veggies Kohlrabi contains 85% fewer calories than the leading brand of white rice.
Keto Quiche Stuffed Peppers
This recipe combines the flavors of a quiche with the convenience of stuffed peppers. It's a simple and delicious way to enjoy a low-carb, keto-friendly meal.
Instructions
Blend, pour, and bake. You can even reheat these for later, use other herbs and spices, or even add in some bacon should you crave a version with more protein. It's a perfect recipe to make a double batch of because the leftovers taste just as good as eating it hot out of the oven!
Read also: Keto Calorie Counting: A Detailed Guide
Keto Meatloaf Stuffed Peppers
These easy low-carb keto meatloaf stuffed peppers are a fantastic idea.
Stuffed Poblano Peppers Keto Recipe
This recipe is ready in under 30 minutes and only requires the use of 5 different ingredients. You've got some mild heat from the peppers, depth of flavor from the chorizo and cheddar, and then top it off with the crisp fresh taste of finely chopped cilantro. With 3 large poblano peppers, you'll get 6 servings that can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Cheesy Tuna Stuffed Peppers
These oven-baked tuna melt stuffed peppers take all the cheesy goodness of a tuna melt sandwich without all of the carbs! This cheesy tuna stuffed peppers recipe is not just keto-friendly, it's also gluten-free, vegetarian, and nut-free. To make this dish, all you need is to make the tuna salad mixture, stuff them in the bell peppers, add provolone cheese, then broil.
Keto Chicken Pesto Stuffed Sweet Peppers
These keto chicken pesto stuffed sweet peppers are the ultimate solution for those days when you're just 30 minutes shy from getting "too hangry for comfort".
Read also: Magnesium Supplements for Keto
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