Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

Total Time Prep: 30 min. Cook: 3-1/2 hours

Yield 6 servings

These vegetarian stuffed peppers are a fresh, filling dinner for meatless Monday (or any other night of the week). They're endlessly adaptable and quick to mix together. Plus, they can be cooked in a slow cooker or baked in the oven to gooey perfection.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked brown rice
3 small tomatoes, chopped
1 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 small sweet onion, chopped
3/4 cup cubed Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 cup chopped ripe olives
1/3 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/3 cup canned red beans, rinsed and drained
4 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
6 large sweet peppers
3/4 cup meatless spaghetti sauce
1/2 cup water
4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Directions

Place the first 12 ingredients in a large bowl; mix lightly to combine. Cut and discard tops from sweet peppers; remove seeds. Fill peppers with rice mixture.
In a small bowl, mix spaghetti sauce and water; pour half the mixture into an oval 5-qt. slow cooker. Add filled peppers. Top with remaining sauce. Sprinkle with 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
Cook, covered, on low 3-1/2 to 4 hours or until heated through and peppers are tender. Sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.

Nutrition Facts

1 stuffed pepper: 261 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 18mg cholesterol, 815mg sodium, 39g carbohydrate (9g sugars, 7g fiber), 11g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat.

These filling and flavorful vegetarian stuffed peppers are an updated version of my mom's stuffed peppers, which were a favorite when I was growing up in upstate New York. Whenever I make them, I'm reminded of home. —Melissa McCabe, Long Beach, California

Recipe Creator