Name: Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 6-8 servings
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 large bell peppers, halved (vertically, through the stem) with guts removed; 1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked cauliflower, riced (or chopped very finely), and sautéed or steamed (See notes); 1/2 pound ground beef; 1/2 pound ground sausage (regular or hot); 1 small onion, chopped; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1 medium zucchini, diced; 1 cup frozen corn kernels; 1 cup black beans, drained and well-rinsed; 8 ounces tomato sauce; 1 teaspoon cumin; 1 teaspoon chili powder or smoked chipotle chili powder; Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste; 1/2 cup Monterrey jack or Cheddar cheese, shredded

These Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice are packed with beef, sausage, corn, black beans, zucchini, and rice cauliflower. Consequently, you’ll feel good about eating them, your tastebuds will be ecstatic, and your tummy will be satisfied. Grain-free if you care about such things.

Do you have the hours of operation posted in your kitchen?

Although I don’t have a sign, they are imprinted in my mind. Of course, seriously hungry people and grandchildren are welcome 24 hours a day, but meal preparation isn’t usually happening after 7 pm.

Let me explain…

It helps me avoid the dangerous evening snack habit. For this reason, when my husband comes home late from work or Bible study and the kitchen is unofficially “closed,” I frequently go to my freezer.

Why I always keep Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice in my freezer:

A frozen stuffed pepper will microwave from rock hard to fragrant and steamy within minutes. Eat straightaway for a healthy and satisfying meal.

An equally delicious option is slicing them up to make a filling for a flour tortilla. It’s a veggie burrito of sorts.

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice before adding the filling--cooked bell peppers on cookie sheet — Broiling the peppers in the oven only takes a few minutes. Peeling not required.

Playing with the Recipe…

You can use green peppers or the sweeter and milder red, yellow, and/or orange bell peppers. No zucchini in the crisper? Use yellow squash–or leave it out. No black beans? Use pinto or ranch-style beans.

In the same way, leave out the corn or onions if you prefer. In summary, this is a good clean-out-the-fridge/pantry recipe.

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice

Despite the deliciousness of using cauliflower instead of rice, if you prefer to use rice, see my original recipe here.

Southwestern Stuffed Peppers Without Rice

Yield: 6-8 servings

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour

Bell peppers of many colors are filled with a Southwestern-style filling. Works great to make ahead and freeze.

Ingredients

4 large bell peppers, halved (vertically, through the stem) with guts removed
1 1/2 to 2 cups cooked cauliflower, riced (or chopped very finely), and sautéed or steamed (See notes)
1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground sausage (regular or hot)
1 small onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 medium zucchini, diced
1 cup frozen corn kernels
1 cup black beans, drained and well-rinsed
8 ounces tomato sauce
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder or smoked chipotle chili powder
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup Monterrey jack or Cheddar cheese, shredded

Instructions

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Line a large jelly-roll pan with foil. Spray outside of pepper halves with oil. Arrange peppers cut side down on prepared pan; bake on lower rack 15 to 20 minutes. When finished cooking and tender with a few random dark spots, turn right side up and arrange in 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. Turn oven back to 350 degrees.
Cook cauliflower rice if not already done and set aside.
Meanwhile, sauté ground meat in a large skillet. Add a little salt and pepper while cooking. Drain excess grease. Add onions and garlic. Sauté for 3 minutes until soft. Add cooked cauliflower rice, zucchini, corn, black beans, tomato sauce, spices, and heat thoroughly.
Spoon hot veggie mixture into cooked pepper halves. Sprinkle cheese over the top. Cook in 350 degree oven until heated through and cheese is slightly browned, 10-15 minutes. Freezes well.

Notes

If you have not purchased cauliflower already riced, you can make cauliflower rice from fresh cauliflower. See instructions here.

Cauliflower will reduce drastically, possibly more than half, when you steam or sauté it. Don't worry about getting exactly 2 cups of cooked cauliflower. A little more or less is not a big deal.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 8 servings Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 314 Total Fat: 18g Saturated Fat: 7g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 9g Cholesterol: 64mg Sodium: 558mg Carbohydrates: 19g Fiber: 5g Sugar: 6g Protein: 21g

If you make this and enjoy the recipe, it would help me and others if you would return to this post and leave a rating (on the recipe card itself underneath the picture). Although always appreciated, no comment is required. Thanks so much! Paula