Stuffed Peppers with Quinoa

Total Time Prep: 35 min. Bake: 35 min.
Yield 4 servings
Test Kitchen Approved
Quinoa adds crunch, corn lends sweetness and color, and red pepper flakes ratchet up the heat in these tender stuffed peppers. Whole wheat rolls or breadsticks and a pitcher of iced tea make for a standout supper. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota

Ingredients

  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
  • 1 cup water
  • 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed
  • 4 large green peppers
  • 3/4 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped
  • 3 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
  • 2 teaspoons paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 cans (8 ounces each) no-salt-added tomato sauce, divided
  • 3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
  • 1/2 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°. Drain tomatoes reserving juice; set aside. In a small saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add quinoa. Reduce heat; cover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, 12-15 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, cut peppers in half lengthwise and remove seeds. In a Dutch oven, cook peppers in boiling water, 3-5 minutes. Drain and rinse in cold water; invert onto paper towels.
  3. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, parsley, paprika, salt, pepper flakes and pepper over medium heat until meat is no longer pink. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Stir in one can tomato sauce, corn, quinoa and tomatoes; heat through.
  4. Spoon into pepper halves. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine the reserved tomato juice and remaining tomato sauce; pour over peppers.
  5. Cover and bake until peppers are tender, 30-35 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese; bake until cheese is melted, 5 minutes longer.

Nutrition Facts

2 each: 386 calories, 11g fat (5g saturated fat), 52mg cholesterol, 622mg sodium, 47g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 9g fiber), 26g protein.

Quinoa adds crunch, corn lends sweetness and color, and red pepper flakes ratchet up the heat in these tender stuffed peppers. Whole wheat rolls or breadsticks and a pitcher of iced tea make for a standout supper. —Joyce Moynihan, Lakeville, Minnesota
Recipe Creator

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