Why We Love This Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
Let’s talk about this Broccoli Cheese Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers Recipe. We all have our favorite comfort foods… The broccoli-cheese-rice combo always leaves me satisfied and cozy, like I’m wrapped in a big fuzzy blanket. Although this beloved American dish is tantalizing, broccoli rice casserole is not normally the most healthy meal to serve your family and is often overlooked. Today I’m sharing my version of broccoli rice casserole, but in the form of leaner vegetarian stuffed peppers. By reducing the fat and calories, then upping the veggie factor, I gave a healthy makeover to my comfort food of choice. Talk about major wow factor. It’s important to add onions, garlic, smoked paprika, and a generous amount of Old El Paso Green Chiles to the rice to give the Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers bold flavor and smoky essence. These Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers are loaded with fragrant creamy rice packed with broccoli florets and spice. Then baked to soften the peppers.
Ingredients You Need
Here’s everything you’re going to need to make these delicious and gluten-free Broccoli Cheese Stuffed Peppers!
Bell Peppers – Use any color. Green peppers are more bitter while red and yellow peppers are sweeter. Butter, Onion, and Garlic – A trifecta of deliciousness right here. A great base for any savory recipe. Long Grain Rice – You can either use white rice or brown rice for an even healthier recipe. Vegetable Broth – To make this fully vegetarian, I used vegetable broth. Old El Paso Green Chiles – Bold flavor for a bold dish. Plus, Old El Paso makes it easy with their canned Green Chiles. Smoked Paprika – This adds a smokey flavor to complement those green chiles. Broccoli Florets – You can either use frozen or fresh, it doesn’t matter. Low-Fat Cream Cheese – Or you can use regular cream cheese. Your choice! Reduced-Fat Cheddar Cheese – You’re gonna want to shred this or buy pre-shredded cheese, making it easier to melt.
How To Make Stuffed Peppers
Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers in the Slow Cooker
Take these Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers to work as lunchbox leftovers. You can even bake them in the slow cooker if you so desire.
Stuffed Bell Pepper Variations and Add-Ins
These healthy stuffed bell peppers are extremely versatile, and can be made with so many different additions! Try some of these variations that would be amazing:
Ground Beef: I know that this recipe is vegetarian, but if you’d like some protein in there, ground beef would be the way to go. Or add in some shredded chicken! Beans: My vegetarian stuffed peppers recipe doesn’t have beans like a lot of other stuffed peppers recipes. But you can definitely add black beans to the mix! Corn: For more Tex-Mex flavor, throw in some corn as well! Frozen would work well. Mushrooms: For some additional fiber and vitamins, add some mushrooms! They give the filling and earthy note. Cayenne Pepper: Cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes would add a little bit of spice to the filling. Quinoa: For an extra healthy meal, replace the rice with quinoa or cauliflower rice! Vegan Stuffed Peppers: If you swap all dairy products with plant-based butter and cheeses, you will have a vegan version.
Serving Suggestions
The beauty of these broccoli and rice stuffed peppers is that they are fully balanced meal on their own, with veggies and carbs! But you can definitely pair them with different dishes if you want some variety. Since these are stuffed peppers with broccoli casserole, you can eat them with a side of protein and dinner rolls or pair them with more Mexican-inspired flavors! Try pairing it with some of my favorites:
Roast Chicken Grilled Corn Salad with Smokey Vinaigrette Dinner Rolls Roasted Poblano Avocado Dip
Love Stuffed Peppers? Try These As Well!
Slow Cooker Pizza Stuffed Peppers Breakfast Stuffed Poblanos 3-Ingredient Mini Stuffed Peppers Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Poblanos Keto Taco Stuffed Peppers
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Old El Paso. All opinions are my own. Share This Recipe With Friends!
