Ricotta Stuffed Peppers

$To make ricotta stuffed peppers, you need fresh and simple ingredients. Here’s what you will need: - 4 large bell peppers (any color) - 1 cup ricotta cheese - 1/2 cup cooked quinoa - 1/2 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed) - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste - 1/2 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving) - Fresh basil leaves for garnish Each ingredient plays a key role in the flavor. The bell peppers add sweetness and crunch. Ricotta cheese brings a creamy texture that blends well with the other ingredients. Quinoa adds protein and a nice bite. Spinach gives a healthy touch, while Parmesan adds a savory depth. Garlic powder and Italian seasoning bring in aromatic flavors. Finally, marinara sauce ties everything together with its rich taste. When you gather these ingredients, you set the stage for a tasty dish. You can easily find all these items at your local grocery store. If you want to add your twist, think about other vegetables or spices you enjoy. Cooking should be fun and personal! {{ingredient_image_1}} - Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). - Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them upright in a baking dish. - In a mixing bowl, combine: - 1 cup ricotta cheese - 1/2 cup cooked quinoa - 1/2 cup chopped spinach - 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese - 1 teaspoon garlic powder - 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning - Salt and pepper to taste Mix until smooth and well combined. - Spoon the ricotta mixture into each bell pepper, packing it down gently. - Pour 1/2 cup marinara sauce over the stuffed peppers. Make sure they are well coated. - Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil. Bake for 25 minutes. - Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes. The peppers should be tender and the cheese golden. - Let them cool for a few minutes before serving. - Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with extra marinara sauce on the side. To get soft and tender peppers, bake them right. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Place the peppers cut side up in a dish. Cover them with foil for the first 25 minutes. This keeps the steam inside, making them soft. After that, remove the foil and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. This gives the cheese a nice golden touch and makes the peppers tender. While ricotta is delightful, you can mix in other cheeses too. Try mozzarella for a stretchy, gooey texture. Feta adds a nice tangy flavor. Goat cheese offers a creamy taste that pairs well. You can even blend in some sharp cheddar for extra richness. Feel free to experiment with flavors that you love. Serve your stuffed peppers with a side salad for a fresh crunch. Garlic bread also pairs well and adds heartiness. You can drizzle extra marinara sauce on top for more flavor. A sprinkle of fresh basil or parsley can brighten the dish. These small touches make your meal even more enjoyable. Pro Tips Choose Colorful Peppers: Using a mix of red, yellow, and green peppers not only adds visual appeal but also different flavor profiles. Make Ahead: Prepare the stuffed peppers in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Bake them just before serving for a quick meal. Extra Flavor: Add chopped sun-dried tomatoes or olives to the filling for an extra burst of flavor. Serve with a Side: Pair your stuffed peppers with a simple green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal. {{image_2}} You can make ricotta stuffed peppers vegetarian by using alternative proteins. Beans are a great choice. Black beans or chickpeas give good texture and protein. You can also add mushrooms for a rich, earthy flavor. Cook the mushrooms first to remove moisture. Mix them into the ricotta filling for extra depth. If you love meat, try adding ground meats. Ground beef or turkey works well. Cook the meat before mixing it with the ricotta. You can season it with spices like cumin or paprika. This adds a savory punch to your peppers. Just remember to adjust cooking times if you use raw meat. For those who enjoy heat, add jalapeños to the filling. Chop them finely and mix them in. This gives a nice kick to the dish. You can also use spicy marinara sauce instead of regular. It will make the whole meal more exciting. Just be careful not to overdo it if you don’t want it too spicy! To keep your ricotta stuffed peppers fresh, store them in an airtight container. Place a layer of plastic wrap on top before sealing. This keeps moisture in and odors out. You can also wrap each pepper in foil for extra protection. If you want to freeze them, place them in a freezer-safe bag. Squeeze out excess air before sealing to prevent freezer burn. To reheat your stuffed peppers, the oven is best. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Place the peppers in a baking dish with a splash of marinara sauce. Cover with foil to keep them from drying out. Heat for about 20 minutes or until warm. You can also use a microwave. Just place a pepper on a microwave-safe plate. Heat for 2-3 minutes or until hot, checking often. When stored correctly, ricotta stuffed peppers last about 3-4 days in the fridge. If frozen, they can last up to 3 months. Remember to label your containers with the date. This helps you keep track of how long they’ve been stored. Always check for signs of spoilage before eating. If they smell off or look strange, it's best to toss them. Yes, you can mix it up! Try using mozzarella or feta cheese. Both add great flavor. You can even blend cheeses for a unique taste. Just keep the ricotta as your base. It gives the filling a creamy texture. Look for a few key signs. The peppers should be tender but not mushy. The cheese on top should be slightly golden. You can also check the filling's warmth with a fork. If it is hot all the way through, they are ready to eat! Absolutely! You can prep the stuffed peppers a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge before baking. When you are ready, pop them in the oven. Add a few extra minutes to the bake time if they are cold. These stuffed peppers pair well with many sides. A simple green salad adds freshness. Garlic bread is also a great choice for dipping. You could even serve some extra marinara sauce on the side for added flavor. In this blog post, we explored how to make delicious stuffed bell peppers. You learned about the key ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and helpful tips. We also shared fun variations, storage advice, and answered common questions. These stuffed peppers are simple and tasty, making them perfect for your meals. Try using different cheese or add spices for a unique twist. Enjoy making these nutritious peppers that everyone will love!$

Delicious bell peppers filled with a creamy ricotta and quinoa mixture, topped with marinara sauce.

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Servings 4

Calories 250 kcal

Ingredients

4 large bell peppers (any color)
1 cup ricotta cheese
0.5 cup cooked quinoa
0.5 cup chopped spinach (fresh or frozen, thawed)
0.25 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
to taste salt and pepper
0.5 cup marinara sauce (plus extra for serving)
as needed fresh basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them upright in a baking dish.
In a mixing bowl, combine the ricotta cheese, cooked quinoa, chopped spinach, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Mix until smooth and well combined.
Spoon the ricotta mixture into each bell pepper, packing it down gently to fill them completely.
Pour the marinara sauce over the stuffed peppers, ensuring they are well coated, and any extra sauce at the bottom of the baking dish is evenly distributed.
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and the cheese is slightly golden.
Remove from the oven and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve with additional marinara sauce on the side.

Notes

Feel free to customize the filling with other vegetables or proteins.

Keyword ricotta, stuffed peppers, vegetarian