American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers
Bell peppers stuffed with a hearty mix of sweet potato, quinoa, and shrimp, baked to perfection. This american-inspired seafood (vegetarian-friendly) ready in about 45 minutes pairs bell peppers, sweet potato, shrimp for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 380 calories and feeds 6, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 8 bell peppers
- 2 cups sweet potato
- 1 lb shrimp
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1/2 cup tomato sauce
- 1 tsp oregano
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C) by placing rack in center and allowing oven to fully heat for 10-15 minutes. Tip: Preheating ensures even cooking and prevents undercooked centers.
- Step 2: Cook 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups water or vegetable broth, bringing to a boil, then reducing heat to low, covering, and simmering for 15 minutes until water is absorbed and grains are fluffy. Tip: Rinse quinoa under cold water before cooking to prevent sogginess.
- Step 3: Dice 2 cups sweet potato into 1/2-inch cubes and roast in a single layer on a baking sheet at 400°F (200°C) for 20-25 minutes, stirring halfway, until edges are golden brown and tender. Tip: Roasting enhances natural sweetness and adds caramelized flavor.
- Step 4: Peel and devein 1 lb shrimp, patting dry with paper towels. Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, then sauté shrimp for 3-4 minutes until pink and opaque, stirring occasionally. Remove from pan and set aside.
- Step 5: In a large bowl, combine cooked quinoa, roasted sweet potato, sautéed shrimp, 1/2 cup tomato sauce, and 1 tsp oregano. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are evenly distributed and quinoa is slightly broken apart.
- Step 6: Cut the tops off 8 bell peppers and remove seeds and membranes with a spoon, then gently hollow out the centers to create a cavity. Pack the quinoa mixture into each pepper, pressing firmly to compact.
- Step 7: Top each stuffed pepper with 1 tbsp shredded mozzarella or cheddar cheese, ensuring even coverage. Place peppers on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Step 8: Bake for 25 minutes, or until peppers are tender when pierced with a fork and cheese is golden and bubbly. Tip: Check doneness at 20 minutes—peppers may need additional time if undercooked.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers take to make?
Total time is about 45 minutes (20 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bell peppers from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 6 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 6). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
Is American Seafood and Sweet Potato Stuffed Peppers vegetarian-friendly?
Yes — this recipe is tagged vegetarian-friendly based on its ingredient list. Always cross-check labels for packaged ingredients (sauces, broths, condiments) since formulations vary by brand.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
My whole family loved this.
- ★★★★★
Brought this to a potluck and it was the first dish to disappear.
- ★★★★☆
Almost perfect — just needed a squeeze of lemon at the end.