Irresistible Healthy Vegetarian Stuffed Peppers

This is an absolutely delicious vegetarian pepper recipe that is packed with nutrients! I love to make a big batch on Sunday, freeze some for easy and decadent (but healthy!) dinners, and keep a couple in the refrigerator for weekday work lunches. I haven't met anyone that doesn't go nuts for these; in fact, I now have to make extra for friends' lunches (hence the giant batch!)

• Preparation Time: 30 mins
• Cooking Time: 1 hr 15 mins
• Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
• Calories: 232 Calories

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons dried oregano
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 8 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 zucchini, shredded
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
• 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced cremini mushrooms
• 2 tablespoons torn fresh basil leaves
• 8 ounces whole wheat orzo pasta
• 12 large orange bell peppers
• 10 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 (8 ounce) package sliced fresh white mushrooms
• 1 (28 ounce) can diced Italian paste tomatoes (such as San Marzano)

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

Step 2

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook orzo in the boiling water, stirring occasionally until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 8 minutes. Drain orzo and transfer to a large bowl.

Step 3

Cut a 1-inch slice from tops of orange bell peppers, discard tops, and remove seeds from peppers. Set peppers upright into a roasting pan, fitting them tightly so they stay in place.

Step 4

Melt butter and olive oil over medium-low heat; cook and stir 10 cloves of garlic in the hot butter mixture until garlic is golden brown, about 8 minutes. Stir white and cremini mushrooms and balsamic vinegar into garlic. Cook and stir until mushrooms soften, about 10 minutes. Drain liquid and mix mushrooms and garlic into orzo.

Step 5

Mix diced tomatoes and their juice, torn whole tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, zucchini, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, 8 cloves garlic, oregano, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper into orzo mixture. Scoop into bell peppers. Pour vegetable broth into bottom of roasting pan and cover pan tightly with aluminum foil.

Step 6

Bake in the preheated oven until peppers are tender and filling is cooked through, about 50 minutes. Remove foil and sprinkle each pepper with 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese. Return to oven and bake uncovered until Parmesan cheese topping is golden and bubbly, about 15 more minutes.