Baked Stuffed Peppers with Brown Rice & Beans

/ Iftar Recipes / By

Assalamu Alaikum…Ramadan Mubarak to you all! It’s me back with another Ramadan special… Baked Stuffed Peppers with Brown Rice & Beans.

Choosing healthy recipes for Iftar just makes sense…especially when they look and taste so good! Check this one out!

Baked Stuffed Peppers with Brown Rice & Beans Recipe

Ingredients (Serves 4)

  • For the stuffed peppers:
  • 4 large bell peppers (any colour you like)
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice (or quinoa for a gluten-free option)
  • 1 can black beans or kidney beans (400g), drained and rinsed
  • 1 small onion, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • 1/2 tsp chilli powder (optional, for a bit of heat)
  • 1 cup chopped tomatoes (fresh or tinned)
  • 1/2 cup sweetcorn (fresh, tinned, or frozen)
  • A handful of fresh coriander or parsley, chopped
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • For the topping:
  • 1/2 cup grated cheese (optional, but adds a lovely gooeyness)
  • A drizzle of olive oil

Method

  1. Prep the peppers:
    Preheat your oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Cut the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds and membranes. Place them in a baking dish, cut side up, and drizzle a little olive oil over them.
  2. Make the filling:
    In a large pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic for 2-3 minutes until soft and fragrant. Add the cumin, paprika, and chilli powder (if using), and stir for another minute. Add the chopped tomatoes, sweetcorn, cooked brown rice, and black beans. Stir everything together and let it cook for 5 minutes until heated through. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the fresh coriander or parsley.
  3. Stuff the peppers:
    Spoon the rice and bean mixture into the prepared bell peppers, pressing it down gently to fill them completely. If you’re using cheese, sprinkle it generously over the top of each pepper.
  4. Bake to perfection:
    Cover the baking dish with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for another 10-15 minutes until the peppers are tender and the cheese is golden and bubbly (if using).
  5. Serve and enjoy:
    Transfer the stuffed peppers to a serving platter and garnish with extra fresh herbs if you like. Serve them with a side salad or some yoghurt for a complete Iftar meal.

Why This Recipe is Perfect for Iftar

  • Healthy and filling: The brown rice and beans provide protein and fibre, keeping you full without feeling heavy.
  • Packed with flavour: The spices and fresh herbs add a burst of flavour that’s hard to resist.
  • Customisable: You can switch up the filling to suit your taste or whatever you have in the fridge.

Tips…

  • Make it ahead: You can prepare the filling and stuff the peppers in advance, then bake them just before serving.
  • Switch up the filling: Add cooked chicken, quinoa, or even some roasted veggies for a different twist.
  • Kid-friendly: Let the kids help with stuffing the peppers – it’s a fun way to get them involved in the kitchen.

A Little Note from Me

These baked stuffed peppers are so simple and delish. You can make extras for a later date haha.

Give this a go and let me know in the comments what you think. If you changed it all, also let me know so I can try it too haha.

Love…

Shahena 💕

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