These “pizza style” Tomato-Basil Quinoa Stuffed Peppers with Mozzarella, are an answer to getting your family to eat a healthy, low fat, high fiber, whole grain meal without complaints. While this stuffed pepper recipe is meatless, quinoa is considered a complete protein, and the mozzarella adds another 7 grams of protein to the meal. These quinoa stuffed peppers are gluten free, as well.
A great easy recipe to introduce this pseudo grain in a kid friendly way, since the recipe has the pizza flavors most children already love.
Quinoa stuffing for red peppers, before adding Parmesan and basil.
I tried two different pepper cuts for stuffing. The flatter “boat” style worked out far better with the quinoa stuffing. It also allowed for enough mozzarella on top.
- Serves: 4
- Calories: 300
- Fat: 8
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 12
- Protein: 15
- 1 cup golden quinoa
- 1½ cups chicken or vegetable broth
- 1 large clove of garlic (crushed & minced)
- ¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes (15 oz.)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup chopped basil
- 2 large red sweet peppers
- 4 oz. mozzarella cheese
- Marinara or other tomato sauce to top
- Put quinoa, broth, garlic, crushed red pepper & roasted tomatoes in sauce pan. Bring to boil, then reduce and simmer about 35 minutes (see pic for consistency you want).
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
- Mix in the Parmesan and chopped basil.
- Cut the peppers lengthwise, and remove core & seeds.
- Generously pack the pepper “boats” with quinoa stuffing.
- Bake for 30 minutes.
- Top each stuffed pepper with 1 oz. of mozzarella cheese. Bake 8-10 more minutes, until bubbly and lightly browned on edges.
- Serve.
Wow! That sounds incredible. I may have to try this with the family!
I have wanted to try quinoa, but didn’t know what to do with it. This is the recipe I am going to try first.
My husband and I are recent quinoa converts and we LOVE it! This recipe sounds delicious! Thanks!
I have been on a quinoa kick lately – and red peppers were 99 cents a pound this week, so this is a perfect recipe to try!
I so want to try quinoa (I see it mentioned a lot lately) and this would be the perfect way to start, even though I have no idea what it really is… Thanks for sharing this recipe!
I’ve never tried quinoa. Is it good?
This looks delicious- so hearty!
Drool worthy! My ideal meal. Fantastic job!
xo