Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans
Colorful bell peppers filled with a protein-packed quinoa and black bean mixture, baked until tender with a hint of cumin and corn for a satisfying vegetarian main. This mexican-inspired vegetarian ready in about 55 minutes pairs large (any color) bell peppers, cooked quinoa, (15 oz) black beans for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 320 calories and feeds 4, 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
- 4 large (any color) bell peppers
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 can (15 oz) black beans
- 1 cup corn
- 1/2 cup diced onion
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 375°F. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add 1/2 cup diced onion and 1 clove minced garlic, sautéing until softened (3 minutes).
- Step 2: Stir in 1 cup cooked quinoa, 1 can rinsed black beans, 1 cup corn, 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp chili powder, salt, and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until combined.
- Step 3: Halve bell peppers lengthwise, remove seeds, and place cut-side up in a baking dish. Spoon quinoa mixture evenly into each pepper.
- Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until peppers are tender and filling is heated through, then let rest 5 minutes before serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans take to make?
Total time is about 55 minutes (20 min prep + 35 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 Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans?
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 cooked quinoa from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans?
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 Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). 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.
What goes well with Baked Stuffed Bell Peppers with Quinoa and Black Beans?
Mexican vegetarian like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
What others are saying
- ★★★★★
Great base recipe! I added a pinch of smoked paprika and it was even better.
- ★★★★★
Used half the salt and it was still plenty flavorful.
- ★★★★★
Used frozen vegetables instead of fresh and honestly couldn't tell the difference.