Fiesta Stuffed Peppers

Have you ever been at that place where it's the end of the month, the grocery budget is looking a little bare, and its time to get creative?  Yeah, that's where I was at last week when I came up with these Fiesta Stuffed Peppers.  

I needed to get dinner on the table, I had no meat thawed, and basically had nothing but some pantry staples on hand.  No worries though, sometimes the best meals come from the simplest ingredients and these Fiesta Stuffed Peppers are no exception.  I can't wait to share this recipe with you so...

Let's Get Started!

Fiesta Stuffed Peppers:
*Prep Time: 20 min *Cook Time: 45 min *Difficulty: Easy *Servings: 4-6

Ingredients: 

• 4-6 Bell Peppers
• 1 c. Grain Filling (I used an ancient grain blend, but you can use brown rice, quinoa, etc)
• 1 15 oz can of Black Beans, drain and rinsed
• 1 c. Frozen Corn Kernels
• 2 Scallions, sliced
• 1 10 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
• 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
• 1 tsp. Chili Powder
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Salt
• Shredded Cheese for Topping, optional

To begin you will need to preheat the oven to 350 degrees. 

**But see below for crockpot options on this meal**

Next you will to prepare your choice of grain and add it to a large mixing bowl.

I used an Ancient Grain blend from Aldi, but you can use rice, quinoa, barley, whatever you have on hand.

The best part is many places are offering ready made grains in their freezer sections.  you only need to microwave them.  Talk about a time saver!

To the mixing bowl with the grains, you will also add the corn,

Sliced scallions,

Drained and rinsed black beans,

Diced tomatoes with chilies,

Lime Juice,

Chili powder,

Cumin,

 Salt,

And garlic powder.

Now simply stir everything together and the filling for the Fiesta stuffed peppers is complete!

It really does look like a fiesta in your bowl, doesn't it?

Now to prepare the bell peppers you will need to cut the "cap" off of the top of the pepper and clean out all of the ribs and seeds.

I don't remember who I saw do this, but the other day while watching The Food Network one of the hosts trimmed the tips from the bottom of their peppers to help them better stand up in the pan.  This worked splendidly, so now I'm suggesting you do the same!

All that's left now is to place the filling into the bell peppers and sit them into a greased baking dish.

You can absolutely keep these vegan, or you can add a little shredded cheese of your choice to the top.

Cover and let them bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, uncover and cook for 15 more minutes to let the cheese get golden brown!
Now your Fiesta Stuffed Peppers are ready!

This dish is absolutely STUNNING to look at, and that flavor...Rich, smokey, and the lime juice gives it that pop of brightness. I know your entire family will love this recipe and the best part, it's actually a healthy dish that is SO GOOD FOR YOU!  Yes, who knew healthy could look and taste this good!  BUT WAIT IT GETS BETTER!!!  Don't have time to make this in the evening you say?  Well, You can assemble it the night before and PUT IT IN THE CROCKPOT!!!  That's right!  Just place the Fiesta Stuffed Peppers into your crockpot with a half cup of water and turn it on low for 8 hours or high for 4.  Ten minutes before you are ready to eat cover with the shredded cheese and let it melt.  SO EASY!  Now you have no excuses, so get in the kitchen and give these Fiesta Stuffed Peppers a try TONIGHT!  And if you like this recipe you might also like my Sweet Chili Ranch Chicken Casserole or my Tex-Mex Pot Roast!  And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~


Fiesta Stuffed Peppers:

*Prep Time: 20 min *Cook Time: 45 min *Difficulty: Easy *Servings: 4-6

PRINTABLE RECIPE

Ingredients: 

• 4-6 Bell Peppers
• 1 c. Grain Filling (I used an ancient grain blend, but you can use brown rice, quinoa, etc)
• 1 15 oz can of Black Beans, drain and rinsed
• 1 c. Frozen Corn Kernels
• 2 Scallions, sliced
• 1 10 oz. can of Diced Tomatoes with Green Chilies
• 1 Tbsp Lime Juice
• 1 tsp. Chili Powder
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 1 tsp. Garlic Powder
• 1 tsp. Salt
• Shredded Cheese for Topping, optional

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare the grains of your choice and place into a large mixing bowl. 
3. To the grains add the corn, beans, scallions, diced tomatoes with chilies, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, salt, and lime juice.  Mix it all together.  
4. To prepare the peppers, cup the top of the pepper off and clean out the seeds and ribs.  Then, trim the very tips off of the bottom of the pepper.  This will help them stand upright in the baking dish.  
5. Fill the peppers with the filling and, if you choose to do so, top with the shredded cheese. 
6. Place the filled peppers into a greased baking dish *
7. Cover with foil and place into a 350 degree oven for 30 minutes.  
8. After 30 minutes uncover and cook for 15 more minutes.
9. Serve and Enjoy!

*This dish can also be prepared in a crock pot.  Simply place the filled peppers into your crockpot with a 1/2 c of water.  DO not put the cheese on top just yet.  Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4.  10 minutes before you are about to serve add the shredded cheese to melt.*