Pizza Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

PIZZA QUINOA STUFFED PEPPERS

yield: SERVES 5 total time: 1 HOUR 5 MINUTES prep time: 20 MINUTES cook time: 45 MINUTES

These Pizza Quinoa Stuffed Peppers have all the flavor and goodness of pizza…in a bell pepper! Pretty, delicious, and (mostly) healthy.

In case Charlie does not care for stuffed peppers, I put some filling on some French bread split lengthwise and hollowed out.

2 cups cooked and cooled quinoa

3.15 ounce package of sliced pepperoni, slices cut into quarters

8 ounces of perline (pearl) mozzarella, liquid drained

3/4 cup pizza sauce

1 cup loosely packed fresh basil, more for garnish

8 ounces baby bella mushrooms, roughly chopped

2 cups loosely packed fresh spinach, roughly chopped

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

5 red bell peppers, sliced in half and hollowed out

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat.

In a large bowl, mix together all ingredients except parmesan cheese and bell peppers.

Meanwhile, place red pepper halves in boiling water and cook for three minutes. Remove and let cool so that you can handle them.

Fill pepper halves with quinoa mixture and place in a large baking dish (9×13 or bigger). Repeat until all pepper halves are full. Sprinkle grated parmesan cheese over the top and bake for 40 to 45 minutes or until cheese is golden brown and peppers are heated through. Enjoy immediately

If you can’t find pearl mozzarella you can cut up any type of fresh mozzarella into small pieces.