Hearty Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers with Provolone and Walnuts
Elevate your dinner experience with these beautiful red bell peppers filled to the brim with a savory quinoa mixture. This delightful dish combines the nutty flavor of quinoa with aromatic onions, garlicky goodness, and a touch of crunch from walnuts, all perfectly blended with fresh parsley and melted provolone cheese. Perfectly baked to tender perfection, these stuffed peppers boast a vibrant presentation and are packed with nutrients, making them a hearty and healthy option for any meal.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
red bell peppers
4 (tops cut off, seeds and ribs removed)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for sautéing)
onion
1 medium (finely chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (minced)
ground coriander
1 teaspoon
coarse salt
to taste
black pepper
to taste
quinoa
1 cup (rinsed)
fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup (chopped)
walnuts
1/3 cup (chopped)
provolone cheese
1 cup (grated and divided)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C), placing a rack in the upper third of the oven.
2
Trim a thin slice from the base of each red bell pepper, ensuring they can stand upright. Carefully cut off the tops, discarding the stems, and remove the ribs and seeds inside. Finely chop the removed tops and set aside.
3
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, minced garlic, ground coriander, and chopped bell pepper tops. Season generously with coarse salt and black pepper.
4
Sauté the mixture, stirring occasionally, until the onions have softened and become translucent, about 5 minutes.
5
Add the rinsed quinoa to the saucepan and toast it briefly for about 1 minute, stirring to combine.
6
Pour in 1 cup of water, increasing the heat to bring it to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the water is fully absorbed and the quinoa is tender, about 11 minutes.
7
Remove the saucepan from heat and let it sit covered for a few minutes. Then, fluff the quinoa with a fork and gently stir in the chopped parsley, walnuts, and 3/4 cup of the grated provolone cheese. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as desired.
8
Stuff each hollowed-out pepper generously with the quinoa mixture, pressing it down slightly to pack it in. Place the filled peppers upright in a 2-quart baking dish.
9
Cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for about 1 hour, or until the peppers are tender.
10
After 1 hour, remove the foil and sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup of provolone cheese on top of each pepper. Return the dish to the oven uncovered, baking for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and melted.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the recipe for Hearty Quinoa-Stuffed Bell Peppers?
This recipe features red bell peppers stuffed with a savory mixture of quinoa, onions, garlic, ground coriander, walnuts, fresh parsley, and provolone cheese.
What temperature should the oven be preheated to?
The oven should be preheated to 450°F (232°C).
Where should the oven rack be placed?
The rack should be placed in the upper third of the oven.
How many red bell peppers are needed?
The recipe calls for 4 red bell peppers.
How do I ensure the bell peppers stand upright?
Trim a thin slice from the base of each pepper to ensure they can stand upright.
What should be done with the bell pepper tops?
Cut off the tops, discard the stems, and finely chop the remaining pepper tops to be used in the sauté mixture.
What type of oil is used for sautéing?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used for sautéing the vegetables.
Which vegetables are sautéed first?
Finely chopped onion, minced garlic, and the chopped bell pepper tops are sautéed together.
What spices are used in the sauté mixture?
Ground coriander, coarse salt, and black pepper are used for seasoning.
How long should the onions be sautéed?
Sauté until the onions have softened and become translucent, which takes about 5 minutes.
How much quinoa is required for this recipe?
One cup of rinsed quinoa is required.
Should the quinoa be toasted before boiling?
Yes, add the rinsed quinoa to the saucepan and toast it briefly for about 1 minute.
How much water is added to cook the quinoa?
Add 1 cup of water to the quinoa mixture.
How long does the quinoa need to simmer?
The quinoa should simmer covered for about 11 minutes until the water is absorbed.
What should be done after the quinoa is cooked?
Remove from heat, let it sit covered for a few minutes, and then fluff it with a fork.
Which ingredients are stirred into the cooked quinoa?
Stir in chopped parsley, walnuts, and 3/4 cup of the grated provolone cheese.
How much provolone cheese is used in total?
A total of 1 cup of grated provolone cheese is used, divided between the filling and the topping.
What amount of parsley is needed?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley leaves.
How many walnuts should I add?
Add 1/3 cup of chopped walnuts to the quinoa mixture.
How do I prepare the peppers for the oven?
Stuff each hollowed-out pepper generously with the quinoa mixture, pressing down slightly, and place them in a baking dish.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 2-quart baking dish is recommended for the peppers.
Should the baking dish be covered during cooking?
Yes, cover the dish tightly with aluminum foil for the initial baking phase.
How long do the stuffed peppers bake initially?
Bake the covered peppers for about 1 hour until they are tender.
When is the remaining cheese added?
The remaining 1/4 cup of provolone cheese is added after the peppers have baked for 1 hour.
How long is the final baking time uncovered?
Return the dish to the oven uncovered for an additional 10 minutes.
How do I know the cheese on top is done?
The cheese is done when it appears bubbly and melted.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this is a vegetarian dish containing quinoa, vegetables, nuts, and cheese.
What kind of texture do the walnuts provide?
The walnuts provide a touch of crunch to the savory quinoa filling.
What are the primary flavor profiles of this dish?
The dish features nutty quinoa, aromatic onions, garlicky notes, and savory provolone cheese.
Is this a healthy meal option?
Yes, it is described as a nutrient-packed, hearty, and healthy option for any meal.