This post contains affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
Looking to spice up your weeknight menu? These Santa Fe Quinoa Stuffed Peppers will do just the trick.
Savory, smoky, subtly sweet and satisfying!
Oh, and mildly spicy too! What more can we ask for in a meal? These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are gorgeous to look at, and they're packed with mouth-watering flavors that'll make dinnertime fun again!
Seriously though, these stuffed peppers really are the cat's pajamas.
In the beginning
You may have seen these Stuffed Peppers before when Vegan Huggs just started out. I love the original recipe, but I wanted to simplify things and cut down the cooking time.
Less time in the kitchen sounds more appealing these days. Don't you agree? Less time doesn't mean less satisfying, and these stuffed peppers are just as enjoyable. Trust me!
I really wanted to update the photos, too. I've come a long way in that department, so I gave these stuffed peppers a complete makeover.
Oh-so satisfying!
You won't be leaving the table hungry...that's for sure. The best thing is you won't feel overstuffed either. These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are light, yet hearty and filling.
Did I mention how healthy they are too? They are fiber-rich, protein-packed, and gluten-free.
Yep, they're healthy, but they aren't lacking in the flavor department at all. The mildly spicy and bold-flavored filling, melds together with the smoky-sweet roasted peppers, to create the most magnificent aroma and taste.
Your taste buds will dance!
If you love bell peppers as much as I, you also might like this Roasted Pepper Salad. It's fresh, colorful, sweet, tangy, and smoky.
Customizable
I made the stuffing by sautéing onions, garlic, and meaty mushrooms together. Then I added protein-rich black beans, fluffy quinoa, sweet corn, savory broth, and smoky spices.
Holy moly, I'm getting hungry just thinking about it! This recipe tastes fabulous to me the way it is, but maybe mushrooms or quinoa aren't your thing.
No problem, just swap them out for your favorite grain and vegetable. They are practically fool-proof, so don't worry about the rest.
Have fun with it!
Easy to prepare
There's really not a lot to this recipe. It seems fancy and time-consuming, but it's actually quite simple and takes about 35 minutes to make. You can even prep the filling the day before, and pop it in the fridge.
That will cut the time down even more, and make life easy. The hardest part is refraining from eating the filling until then. I never win that battle.
How to make Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Cut and roast the peppers
While the peppers are roasting, cook the quinoa
Now sauté the onions, garlic, and mushrooms until tender
Add the seasonings, broth, quinoa, beans, and corn to the pan
Stuff the peppers and roast to perfection.
Top with your favorites and enjoy!
Easy peasy!
All-in-one-meal
These Quinoa Stuffed Peppers are as complete as it gets, so you won't need to dirty any more pots and pans. However, it does pair nicely with a simple salad if you want something extra.
Or you can skip the salad, and go for a nice cold vegan beer, or margarita. It all works!
Perfect for hungry house guests
They'll be nice and quiet after a meal like this, so you can thank me later. If they're staying the night, they can have one in the morning too, with a side of tofu scramble.
Now that's hosting done right. No-fuss!
Alright, let's do this!
I’d love to hear from you
If you make these Quinoa Stuffed Peppers, I’d love to get your feedback. You can leave a comment below and let me know what you think. It would really make my day. You can also follow me on Instagram and share your creation with me. Just tag me @veganhuggs and hashtag #veganhuggs so I don’t miss it.
📖 Recipe
Santa Fe Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Ingredients
- 1 cup dry quinoa , rinsed well
- 6 large bell peppers , assorted colors
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil (or preferred oil) + more for brushing
- 1 medium onion , diced
- 8 ounces mushrooms , chopped
- 3-4 cloves garlic , minced
- 1 tablespoon tomato paste
- 2 teaspoons chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon sea salt , more to taste
- fresh cracked pepper to taste
- 2 cups vegetable broth , low sodium
- 1 cup corn , fresh or frozen
- 15 ounces canned black beans , rinsed and drained
Instructions
To Prepare Peppers:
- Preheat oven to 400 °F.
- Wash and cut each pepper in half. If the pepper has a stem, try to leave it intact. Just carefully cut it down the middle, leaving a piece on each pepper halve (this helps the pepper keep its shape). Remove membranes and seeds.
- Brush a little oil inside each pepper, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place, cut-side up on a large rimmed baking sheet. Roast until peppers are slightly tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside.
To Prepare Stuffing:
- While the peppers are cooking, start making the stuffing. In a medium pot, add the quinoa to 2 cups of low-boiling water (add a pinch of salt). Put lid on top. Cook until liquid is gone and quinoa is fluffy. This usually takes about 15 minutes to cook. Remove from heat and fluff with fork. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add mushrooms and sauté until they are tender and slightly browned, about 4-6 minutes.
- Add the tomato paste, garlic and spices, sauté for 30-60 seconds until fragrant.
- Add the vegetable broth and bring to a simmer for 1-2 minutes.
- Add cooked quinoa, beans, and corn. Combine well. Taste for seasoning and add more as needed. Cook for another 5-8 minutes, uncovered, until liquid has cooked down. Stir often. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Divide stuffing mixture evenly among peppers, gently packing it down and making sure to fully fill each pepper. Place them upright on the large rimmed baking sheet. Leave 1-inch between each pepper. Bake until quinoa is lightly browned and crispy on top, about 15-20 minutes.
Notes
- Topping Ideas: vegan sour cream, fresh-cut cilantro, squeeze of lime, hot sauce, salsa, avocado, and diced red onion.
- If you'd like the peppers to be more tender, let them cook 10 minutes longer. Cook less if you'd like a crisper texture.
- You may have filling leftover and this all depends on the size of the peppers you used. You can save it for wraps, burritos, tacos, salads, a breakfast side, or for more stuffed peppers. It will last in the fridge for 5-6 days or in the freezer for 2-3 months.
Spingarn Family
We missed buying vegetable broth. Used a can of corn and didn’t drain it. They were still a big hit. Very tasty and satisfying!
Thanks!
Melissa Huggins
I am glad it worked out still! 🙂 You are welcome.
V1
Delicious! I eliminated step 5 (add 2 cups veg broth) as I did not see the need. I put shredded pepper jack cheese on top before baking.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Viki, I'm so glad you made it work for you. Thank you for making it and sharing your modifications. Have a great weekend. 🙂
Don Jordan
Easy to make. Even I didn't mess it up! Delish too!
Support @ Vegan Huggs
Hi Don! We are so happy to hear that you found the recipe easy and delicious 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
Annie
Great! I have had guests over and served this with salad on the side and optional pepper jack cheese for vegetarians. Thank you for another great recipe!
Melissa Huggins
I'm so glad you liked the recipe. Thank you so much! 🙂
Rodica
The best stuffed peppers I ever had! I added zucchini as well one jalapeño to it as well! Delicious!! I will definitely make this recipe over and over again! Thank You for the recipe!
Melissa Huggins
Yay! I'm so glad you liked them! They sound delicious with the zucchini and jalapeño. Thank you for sharing 🙂
Rebeca Steinberg
Hey! I just made the recipe, it’s sooooo delicious, spicy, healthy! Well, my family loved it 🥰
Thank you 🙏
Melissa Huggins
Hi Rebeca, I'm so glad your family loved it. Thank you for giving it a try. 🙂
Evelyn Baron
This is better than my version and it would help if I could see what I am writing. I love this recipe; the filling gave me great ideas; inspired. It's the marinara that gets scooped up; frankly for this I double up; roast a couple of peppers and peel them; my brother in law has a fail safe marinara which is the same as yours; a bit more natural sweetness; I smash some walnuts, judiciasly, and whatever fresh herb -- you know what I am trying to replicate my mum's paprikash; ok I would add paprika in the marinara forget Italy ; tomato paste natural sweetness …. I would use small amouts of rosremary and mint; and vegan sour cream on top later-- not much.
My mom's chicken paprikash was the last meal she cooked ; who cares of I'm vegan; dismember a chicken, skin off bake in Eva's paprika sauce; not a secret ; fluffy dumplings. I miss her more than I can say
Sandra
Hi Melissa. I'll be trying this recipe soon, but I just wanted to query the 2 cups of stock you're meant to add. I'm thinking this would make the filling really very runny? Or does the already cooked quinoa soak up most of it? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Sandra, yes, it will absorb and cook down. Thank you for giving it a try! 🙂
Elle
Just tried your stuffed Santa Fe Peppers. I made changes due to lack of mushrooms and a spicey palate preference.
Substituted tofu (didn't have mushrooms in the pantry)
Increased the chili powder to 2-tablespoons (like the rich spicy element)
Added three hot yellow peppers for a bit more kick (left over from take-out)
IT WAS GREAT! I'll make it again. Good addition to my usual meals.
Melissa Huggins
Hi Elle, I'm so glad you liked them! Thank you for sharing your feedback and modifications.Sounds delish with the tofu and hot peppers. 🙂