This healthy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers recipe is packed with rice, beans, veggies, and so much flavor. It will leave you satisfied and energized and are so easy to make!

Check out all of my vegetarian recipes like Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Chow Mein, or Cacio e Pepe!

Easy vegetarian stuffed peppers in a baking dish, topped with melted cheese.

Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers That'll Steal the Show.

I never knew how much I could love Stuffed Peppers until I worked on this recipe. Any I had eaten in the past were pretty bland, so I knew I had to pack these with tons of wonderful flavor, and all the good stuff, like rice, beans and veggies. These are so good, it's like eating a loaded burrito, but veggie style. So whether you're looking for vegetarian meals for Meatless Monday, or just a healthy meal that will leave you satisfied, these easy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers are the answer. My whole family cheers for this meal. For my kids, I often cut up the peppers and give them tortilla chips or a whole wheat flour tortilla to eat with it.

How to Make Stuffed Peppers:

Prep and Pre-Cook: Cut ¼-inch from tops of bell peppers and remove the stem, ribs and seeds. Fill a large baking dish with 1/2-inch of water then place peppers cut-side down in the water and bake for 20 minutes.

Six bell peppers upside down in water, being prepped for an easy stuffed peppers recipe.

Make Mixture: Sauté onion in a little oil until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic then cook for 30 seconds. Add corn, beans, diced tomatoes, green onions, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until corn and beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat then stir in rice, 1 cup cheese, and cilantro. Stir to combine. Taste and add additional seasonings, if needed.

Two images showing how to make vegetarian stuffed peppers by cooking the mixture of rice, beans, and veggies.

Bake and Serve: Remove peppers from oven and drain water from dish. Divide the mixture evenly between the peppers, then top with remaining cheese. Return vegetarian stuffed peppers to oven for 10-15 more minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted.

Six homemade vegetarian stuffed peppers with rice, beans, veggies, and topped with cheese. They are out of the oven and ready to eat.

Make Ahead and Freezing Instructions:

To Make-Ahead: The peppers can be stuffed with filling 1-2 days ahead and stored covered in the refrigerator.

To Freeze: Freeze the filling for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before stuffing peppers.

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Recipe

Easy vegetarian stuffed peppers in a baking dish, topped with melted cheese.
Prep 10 minutes
Cook 50 minutes
Total 1 hour
Save Recipe

Ingredients
 
 

  • 6 sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange)
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked rice (white, brown, cauliflower rice or quinoa)
  • 1 Tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 small onion , diced
  • 3 garlic cloves , minced
  • 1 14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes with green chiles , mild
  • 1 14 oz can black beans , drained and rinsed
  • 1 cup frozen corn
  • 4 green onions , chopped
  • 2 Tablespoons Taco Seasoning*
  • 3/4 teaspoon black pepper , plus more to taste
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese , Mexican blend or pepperjack cheese, divided
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Prep peppers: Cut ¼-inch from tops of bell peppers and remove the stem, ribs and seeds. Fill a large baking dish with 1/2-inch of water.Place peppers cut-side down in the water and bake for 20 minutes.
  • Filling: Heat oil in a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add corn, beans, diced tomatoes, green onions, chili powder, cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir until corn and beans are heated through, about 5 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in rice, 1 cup cheese, and cilantro. Stir to combine. Taste and add additional seasonings, if needed.
  • Stuff peppers: Remove peppers from oven and drain water from dish. Divide the mixture evenly between the peppers, then top with remaining cheese.
  • Bake again: Return to oven for 10-15 more minutes, until peppers are tender and cheese is melted. Store leftover peppers in the refrigerator, covered for 4-5 days.

Notes

Peppers: Choose big, round bell peppers that sit flat. Or lay them on the side and cut a small piece from the top, horizontally. Red, orange and yellow peppers will be sweeter than green.
Taco Seasoning: To use your own spices, use 1 Tablespoon chili powder, 2 teaspoons ground cumin, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon garlic powder and oregano.
Add more Protein: Add one pound of cooked ground turkey to the filling.
Make-ahead Instructions: Stuffed peppers can be assembled 1-2 days ahead of time, stored in the fridge until baking.
Freezing Instructions: Freeze the filling for up to 3 months. Allow to thaw before stuffing peppers. 
Gluten-free Adaptations: use gluten-free taco seasoning (or make homemade with the recipe above).

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 15gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 857mgPotassium: 798mgFiber: 10gSugar: 8gVitamin A: 4140IUVitamin C: 165mgCalcium: 212mgIron: 3mg

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Recipe adapted from America’s Test Kitchen. First published January 2020. Updated April 2024.

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About The Author

Lauren Allen

Welcome! I’m Lauren, a mom of four and lover of good food. Here you’ll find easy recipes and weeknight meal ideas made with real ingredients, with step-by-step photos and videos.

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Myra
6 days ago

Could you use the sweet mini peppers with this recipe?