Healthier Stuffed Peppers Food

HEALTHY CHICKEN FAJITA STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Combine the chicken, chili powder, cumin, 1/2 teaspoon salt and several grinds of pepper in a large bowl and toss to coat.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until it just begins to smoke. Add the chicken and cook, undisturbed, until it just starts to brown in spots, about 2 minutes. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 3 minutes more.
• Transfer the chicken and onion mixture to another large bowl and rinse and dry the skillet. Add the rice, 1/2 cup of the cheese, half the lime juice, 3/4 teaspoon salt and few grinds of pepper to the chicken and toss to combine. Divide the filling among the peppers.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the skillet, arrange the peppers on top and turn to high heat. When the oil starts to sizzle, about 2 minutes, transfer to the oven and bake until the filling is hot and the peppers are softened, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup cheese over the peppers and bake until melted, about 3 minutes more.
• Drizzle the remaining lime juice over the peppers and top with the cilantro leaves. Serve with the sour cream, guacamole and pico de gallo if desired.

HEALTHIER STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Bring brown rice and water to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until rice is tender and liquid has been absorbed, 45 to 50 minutes.
• Cook and stir beef, garlic, and onion in a skillet over medium heat until meat is evenly browned and onion is softened, about 5 minutes.
• Remove and discard the tops, seeds, and membranes of the green, red, and yellow bell peppers. Arrange peppers in a baking dish with the hollowed sides facing upward. Slice the bottoms off the peppers if necessary so that they stand upright.
• Mix the browned beef, cooked rice, 1 can tomato sauce, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Spoon an equal amount of the mixture into each hollowed pepper. Mix the remaining tomato sauce and Italian seasoning in a bowl, and pour over the stuffed peppers.
• Bake in the preheated oven, basting with sauce every 15 minutes, until the peppers are tender, about 1 hour. Sprinkle the peppers with grated Parmesan cheese after baking.

STUFFED BELL PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the tops off the peppers. Remove and discard the stems, then finely chop the tops; set aside. Scoop out the seeds and as much of the membrane as you can. Place the peppers cut-side up in a baking dish just large enough to hold them upright.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the beef, season with salt and pepper and cook, breaking up the lumps, until the meat is cooked through and just beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate to get rid of the fat.
• Wipe out the skillet and add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the onions and chopped peppers and cook until beginning to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the garlic and zucchini and cook for another minute. Add the tomatoes and season with salt and a pinch or 2 of red pepper flakes. Cook until everything is heated through, then stir in the beef and rice. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Stir in 1 cup of the cheese.
• Fill the peppers with the rice mixture and top each with a sprinkle of the remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Pour a small amount of water into the bottom of the baking dish and drizzle the peppers with a little olive oil. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until the peppers are soft and the cheese is melted and lightly browned, another 15 to 20 minutes.

HEALTHY QUINOA AND GROUND TURKEY STUFFED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Combine quinoa and chicken stock in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer for 15-17 minutes until all of the liquid is absorbed.
• Meanwhile, cut the tops off of the bell peppers, remove the seeds and set aside in a baking dish sprayed with cooking spray. Chop the tops of the peppers (will add to the meat mixture later).
• Heat the olive oil over medium high heat in a large sauce pan and saute the garlic.
• Add chopped onions and peppers. Saute 2-3 minutes.
• Add the ground turkey, worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper to the pan. Cook until the meat is browned.
• Add the tomatoes and tomato paste. Stir to combine. Cook until most of the liquid is absorbed (5 minutes).
• Add the cooked quinoa to the meat mixture. Stir thoroughly.
• Fill each pepper with the mixture. Cook in preheated oven for 30 minutes.
• After 25 minutes, top each pepper with italian cheese. Cook five more minutes (cheese will melt and begin to brown).
• Serve immediately :) Enjoy!