Easy Mediterranean Stuffed Bell Peppers Recipe
These Easy Mediterranean Stuffed Bell Peppers are a vibrant and healthy dish featuring colorful bell peppers filled with a flavorful mix of fluffy rice, cherry tomatoes, Kalamata olives, fresh herbs, and tangy feta cheese. Perfect for a wholesome vegetarian meal that bursts with fresh Mediterranean flavors.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 stuffed bell peppers (serves 4) 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables
- 4 large Bell Peppers (mixed colors)
- 1 medium Onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves Garlic (minced)
- 1 cup Cherry Tomatoes (halved or quartered)
- 1/4 cup Fresh Parsley (chopped)
Grains & Legumes
- 2 cups Cooked Rice (fluffy, long-grain)
Dairy
- 1 cup Feta Cheese (crumbled)
Oils & Acids
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for sautéing)
- 2 tablespoons Fresh Lemon Juice
Other Seasonings
- 1/2 cup Kalamata Olives (pitted and chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Dried Oregano
- Salt (to taste)
- Black Pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to prepare for baking the stuffed peppers.
- Sauté vegetables: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the finely chopped onion and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until softened and fragrant.
- Add remaining filling ingredients: Stir in the cherry tomatoes, chopped Kalamata olives, cooked rice, fresh parsley, and dried oregano. Cook together for another 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend.
- Season the filling: Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste, then add fresh lemon juice. Adjust seasoning if needed to balance the flavors.
- Prepare the bell peppers: Trim the tops off the bell peppers and remove all seeds and membranes. Place the hollowed peppers upright in a baking dish.
- Stuff the peppers: Spoon the rice and vegetable filling into each bell pepper, packing it firmly to fill the cavities evenly.
- Bake covered: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, allowing the peppers to soften.
- Bake uncovered: Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 10 minutes to develop a slight roast on the pepper exterior.
- Add feta cheese and finish baking: Sprinkle crumbled feta cheese evenly on top of each stuffed pepper and return the dish to the oven for 5 minutes, until the cheese softens and warms through.
Notes
- You can use any color bell pepper to add visual appeal and flavor variety.
- For a vegan option, omit the feta or replace it with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Cook rice ahead of time to streamline preparation; day-old rice works well in this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of lemon juice and seasoning to suit taste preferences.
- Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
Keywords: Mediterranean stuffed peppers, vegetarian stuffed peppers, baked bell peppers, healthy stuffed peppers, Mediterranean rice dish, feta stuffed peppers
