Stuffed Pepper Quinoa Skillet
This easy, one-pot stuffed pepper quinoa skillet is packed with flavor! A healthy, filling and fun spin on the classic dish, it’s packed with veggies, black beans and Italian spices. Gluten free and vegetarian, with dairy free and vegan options.
Happy New Year! Yes, I am totally a few days late, but I bring a peace offering in the form of this stuffed pepper quinoa skillet.
It’s colorful, it’s healthy AND it’s jam-packed with flavor. Plus, it’s way easier than making actual stuffed peppers.
And! It’s a most excellent way to ease back into daily life.
Because if you are anything like me, you are sort of um, very slowly returning to your normal routine after the magic that was the holiday season.
Including time in the kitchen. Which is where this one pot meal comes in handy.
There’s not a ton of prep. There’s only one skillet to clean up (well, and a cutting board, knife and some measuring spoons). And you wind up with a filling, fun and fantastic meal.
Now that’s how we welcome January with a bang.
Tips & Tricks For This Stuffed Pepper Quinoa Skillet
- You can absolutely use any colored peppers you would like in this dish. I am a bit of a sucker for orange and red peppers, but green and yellow will work too.
- Mild cheddar cheese is going to melt better than a stronger variety (especially since we are only heating it for a short amount of time). So I’d encourage you to use mild here. Dairy free cheese also works – which is what you see pictured (since my body seems to rebel against the real stuff these days).
- Let’s talk salt. I included a range down below since it really will vary based upon your taste (and how salty your cheese is). Start with less and add more at the end as needed.
- I have not tried it, but I think you could substitute about 1 ½ cups of cooked meat for the black beans. Depending on what you are using, you may want to wait until the very end to stir it in so that it doesn’t dry out (i.e. mix it in right before topping with the cheese). Please share if you try this!
Additional Skillet Recipes You Might Enjoy:
- Summer Vegetable Skillet Enchiladas
- Vegetable and Black Bean Taco Skillet
- Lemon Garlic Pasta Skillet
- Skillet Chicken Fajita Pasta
- Skillet Mexican Brown Rice Casserole
Did you make this recipe? Rate and review it down below! I’d love to hear from you.
Stuffed Pepper Quinoa Skillet
This easy, one-pot stuffed pepper quinoa skillet is packed with flavor! A healthy, filling and fun spin on the classic dish, it’s packed with veggies, black beans and Italian spices. Gluten free and vegetarian, with dairy free and vegan options.
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium orange bell pepper, chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- ½ teaspoon dried parsley
- ¼ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ to ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 1 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
- 2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
- 1 (14 ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes, drained
- 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 to 1 ½ cups shredded mild cheddar cheese*
- chopped fresh parsley, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Set a large skillet over medium heat. Add in the olive oil. When hot, add in the onion and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, until it starts to soften. Add in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant.
- Add in both peppers, the basil, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, until the veggies are all tender. Add in the tomato paste and quinoa. Cook for 45 seconds, stirring almost constantly.
- Add in the broth, drained tomatoes and black beans. Give the mixture a good stir then bring just barely to a boil. Cover, turn down the heat and let simmer for about 12 to 15 minutes, until almost all of the broth has been absorbed and the quinoa is tender.
- Remove the cover, give it a stir, then sprinkle the cheese over the top. Recover and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the cheese is melted.
- Remove from the heat. Let stand covered for about 5 minutes, then sprinkle with some parsley and serve!
Notes
*To keep this dairy free / vegan - use your favorite dairy free shredded cheese.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 5 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 463Total Fat: 23gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 864mgCarbohydrates: 46gFiber: 10gSugar: 6gProtein: 20g
Nutrition data shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and is for informational purposes only. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.
This looks so good! Have you ever tried poblano peppers in this recipe? I have an abundance from the garden and this looks like it would work really well with them!
Thank you! I actually have added some before (needed to use them up!). They do work great – it will just be a bit more spicy than with the regular peppers 🙂
I used ground beef rather than black beans, and I used sharp cheddar cheese. Yum! Yum! Yum!
Love that! So glad you enjoyed 🙂
This quinoa skillet looks like the perfect way to start off the new year! My husband saw this pop up in my feed and said that we need to make it! 🙂 So, this is going on our menu soon!
Aw, that made me smile! Thanks Jessica!!
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed your time off. A one skillet meal is the perfect way to ease back into things and this looks delicious! I love that you added quinoa!
Happy new year! Thanks Rachelle!
I love baked peppers, especially stuffed with quinoa! But your version is so much quicker and easier! I like quick and easy recipes 😉 Happy 2017! xx
I’m easing back into my ush routine, too, and it is gloooorious. Here’s to 2017 being balanced and full of nutritious eats. LOVING this skillet! I’m all about a good stuffed pepper and am 200% game for a recipe that simplifies the process (and maximizes the cheese 😉 Definitely a winner!
Here here! Happy New Year Julia!
Happy New Year, Ashley! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy some much needed time off 🙂 This yummy skillet meal is the perfect way to kick off the year! Love the stuffed pepper flavors!
Ahhh I love this!! Stuffed peppers, deconstructed. Love it!
Welcome back, Ashley! I’m so glad you were able to enjoy some time off. I took a week off too and now I’m wishing I took more, haha. It has been so hard to get back into the swing of things! Ugh.
This quinoa skillet looks like the perfect quick and easy meal. I’ve been trying to avoid cheese but seeing it all melted on top of this is making me crave it like crazy! Thanks. 😉
So difficult! And now we have snow coming our way and all I can think is snow day??? haha
I am having a long Holiday this time, just don’t want to come out of that holiday mood yet! 😉 This quinoa skillet looks so healthy, delicious and flavorful. Perfect to start the New Year. Hope you had a lovely time, Ashely. 🙂
I hear you!! Thanks Anu!
Happy New Year, and I’m glad you got some well-deserved time off! You’re back with a vengeance here — this is the healthiest comfort food ever! I’m sitting here dying to have this for lunch now and cannot wait to try this!
Thanks friend!!
Happy New Year, Ashley!!! I’m glad you had a oh-so magical holiday!!! I am with ya, SLOWLY (like, very very very very very slowly) easing back into the whole work thing. I think I still need a bit more time. Hahaha. Life really needs a dang pause button, right?! Anyways, this skillet is an awesome way to start the New Year! It’s healthy, yet full of flavor, super pretty AND easy to boot!!! Toe-ts winning! Can’t wait to try it! Pinned of course!
P.S. Bring on the snow!!!
haha I’ll happily take some more time … especially with the snow coming! 🙂
Happy New Year!! I love it!! 🙂
A one skillet meal is the perfect way to ease back into daily life after the holiday season. Even better if its healthy and packed full of flavor.
So nutritious and tasty! Definitely a perfect dish to start the new year!
Happy New Year, Ashley! I hope you had a wonderful holiday! I overindulge a little (ok A LOT) too much over the past few weeks, so I’m ready to get back on track of eating healthier. This quinoa skillet looks amazing! I just made a quinoa skillet the other day, but with taco flavors, so I will have to try out this stuffed pepper version. This is my kind of meal!
Same to you Gayle!! And thank you!!
Totally still in holiday mode! I have 2 more weeks of break, but still feeling so lazy and in need of easy simple foods 😉