Looking for a healthy meal? Try these simple stuffed bell peppers as they are a good source of fiber, low in calories, and high in water [1] which help satisfy hunger.
These tasty vegetables help satisfy hunger and are also packed with Vitamin A, which is important for eye health [2] and is a good source of vitamin C, which can help prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, as well as the common cold. [3] These Stuffed Peppers are quick to fix and kids love them.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown rice, uncooked
- 1 can (15-ounces) black beans, no salt added
- 4 bell peppers (any color)
- 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (reduced fat)
- 1 tomato, sliced
- 1 cup of salsa
- salt (to taste, optional)
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Cook brown rice according to package directions.
- Wash the peppers under running water.
- Cut the tops off the peppers and spoon out the seeds.
- Drain and rinse the black beans.
- Combine the beans, rice, salsa, and salt (optional).
- Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the mixture into the bottom of each pepper.
- Place a slice of tomato on top of the mixture and sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of cheese.
- Repeat steps 7 and 8 to fill the pepper completely but do not top with cheese.
- Bake peppers for 30 minutes, top each with 2 Tablespoons of cheese, and continue baking for 15 minutes more.
Chefs Tips:
- Experiment with different grains and use quinoa, barley, farro, or bulgar instead of rice. This swap will increase the amount of protein and fiber as well!
- Use different colors of bell peppers to make a more colorful meal!
For additional recipes with Bell Peppers, check these out: Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers, Stuffed Green Peppers, and Corn and Pepper Cups.
[2] National Institutes of Health- Vitamin A
[3] National Institutes of Health- Vitamin C
Original Recipe Source: MyPlate