Stuffed Bell Peppers with Orzo
These Stuffed Bell Peppers with Orzo are a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines colorful bell peppers, tender orzo pasta, and a variety of vegetables, all baked to cheesy perfection.
- Author: Maya Quinn
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
- Diet: Vegetarian
Bell Peppers:
- 4 large bell peppers (any color)
Orzo Mixture:
- 1 cup orzo pasta
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 medium zucchini, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Cook the Orzo: In a saucepan, bring the vegetable broth to a boil and add the orzo. Cook according to package instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Prepare the Peppers: Slice the tops off the bell peppers and remove the seeds. Lightly rub the outside with a bit of olive oil and place them upright in a baking dish.
- Sauté Vegetables: In a pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add diced onion and garlic, sauté until fragrant and translucent.
- Add Zucchini and Tomatoes: Add diced zucchini and halved cherry tomatoes to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes until vegetables are tender.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the cooked orzo, sautéed vegetables, oregano, basil, salt, pepper, and half of the mozzarella cheese. Mix well.
- Stuff the Peppers: Generously fill each bell pepper with the orzo mixture. Press down slightly to ensure each pepper is filled.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the stuffed peppers.
- Bake: Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the peppers are tender and cheese is bubbly and golden.
- Garnish and Serve: Allow the peppers to cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 stuffed pepper
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 4.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 14g
- Cholesterol: 20mg
Keywords: Stuffed Bell Peppers, Orzo, Vegetarian, Mediterranean, Baked Dish